The Stone Camels

Polly hopped along the wall, following the little channel, when suddenly she stopped. There were shapes hiding in the rock.

They were camels, carved into the wall and as large as living ones. Beside them walked carved men, the merchants of long ago. Wind and rain had slowly worn their faces away, but the strong legs of the camels were still perfectly clear.

Polly stood next to one carved camel foot. It was bigger than her whole body. She imagined the real caravans that once passed this exact spot, loaded with spices and sweet-smelling incense.

The wind moved through the canyon, and it sounded almost like slow footsteps. Polly stood and listened for a long time. Then she followed the water channel deeper in.