Himalayas

Imagine being so tall that your head is always covered in soft, white snow. I stretch and stretch across the land, like a big, sleepy giant waking up in the morning. My peaks are like pointy white hats that touch the fluffy clouds. I watch the sun say hello every day and see the stars twinkle goodnight. It is very quiet and peaceful up here. I can see the whole world. Do you know who I am. I am the Himalayas, and I have the tallest mountain in the world, called Mount Everest.

A long, long time ago, two big pieces of the earth gave each other a giant hug. They pushed and pushed together until I popped up high into the sky. That’s how I grew so tall, stone by stone. Friendly people called the Sherpa live on my sides. They wear warm, colorful hats and have big smiles. Fluffy yaks with long, soft hair walk on my paths. They look like big, cuddly teddy bears and help carry cozy blankets. One day, two brave friends came to visit my tallest peak. Their names were Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary. They wanted to climb all the way to the top. On a special day, May 29th, 1953, they worked together and climbed and climbed. They helped each other until they stood on the tippy-top of the world. They were the very first people ever to do it.

I love watching brave people come to explore my snowy peaks. They put on warm coats and special shoes to climb up high. It makes me feel so proud to see them try hard things and help each other. Today, friends and families still visit me. They look up and see how big I am, and it makes them feel big and brave, too. They laugh and play in my snow and wave from my trails. I am here to show you that with a friend by your side and a happy heart, you can climb any mountain. I hope you remember to dream as big as I am. What big adventure will you go on today.