The Elephant Mountain

Polly arrived at dawn, flying low over a calm blue sea. Ahead of her, a long mountain rose straight out of the water, and from this side it looked just like a sleeping elephant. The people of the coast call it Montgó. Polly, a small parrot with a red head, a green body and little round glasses, flew straight towards it.

At the foot of the mountain lay a small white town with narrow streets, terracotta roofs and a quiet fishing port. The town is called Xàbia, and it rests on the plain between the mountain and the sea.

Polly landed high on the ridge, on rock that was still warm from the day before. The stone was the colour of honey. From up there she could see the whole coastline stretched out below her.

Slowly the sun climbed out of the water, and its light turned the mountain and the town gold. Polly breathed in the salty air and made a decision. She would stay here for seven days.