For all his life, my grandfather has lived in the Valley of Koi. Our land begins at the
foot of Eagle Mountain. It ends at the banks of the rushing river that bisects the valley,
dividing it in two.The mountain and river keep our herds safe form wolves.The soil is so
rich that our crops seem to grow by themselves, and even the precious fire flowers can be
found by those who know where to look.Although life in the valley was good,my grandfather
feared for his people. The mountain and river kept danger out, but they also kept us in,
isolated from the world."We must find a way to reach out to other villages, " Grandfather
said, "to trade, exchange stories, and make friendships. If we do not , Koi will one day
fade away."
"But it is too hazardous to journey over the mountain, " people said. "And the
river is too wild to cross. "my grandfather knew that was ture. He spent many hours
walking thought the valley, thinking.One day, he saw a pink earthworm wriggle out of the
soil Grandfather bent down to look more closely and saw a spider building a web between
two blades of grass. Suddenly, Grandfather knew what the people of Koi must do.
Many villagers were skeptical. "What comes easily to the earthworm and spider is not so
simple for humans, "they insisted. "We cannot move under the earth or through the air.
And what if strangers learned where the fire flowers grew? "
"If I were a fire flower, I would rather be picked from the earth and admired than left
alone and unseen, "Grandfather said. Some of the villagers began to nod.Soon they gathered
around to study the plans Grandfather drew.
After that ,the strongest men and women of Koi began to dig into the base of Eagle
Mountain. Each year they dug, the opening of the tunnel reached farther.......
( to be continued )