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Self Study
Welcome, young learners! Today, we're going to explore a delightful chapter called "Up the Mountain" by Johanna Spyri. This story takes us on an adventure in the beautiful mountains and introduces us to some interesting characters. Let's get ready to climb this literary mountain together!
Getting Started: Warming Up Our Minds
Before we dive into the story, let's think about mountains. What comes to your mind when you hear the word "mountains"? The author, Johanna Spyri, asks us to think of words like gigantic, rocky, and pine trees. Can you add a few more words to this list? Think about how mountains look, feel, and what might live there.
Reading and Understanding the Story
Now, let's read through the excerpts and understand what's happening.
The Journey Begins
Our story starts on a sunny morning in June. We meet two characters walking up a mountain path: a tall strong-looking woman and a child of five named Heidi. Notice how Heidi is dressed. She's wearing two dresses, a red woolen shawl, and thick mountain-shoes. Why do you think she's wearing so many clothes? It was to save the trouble of carrying them. Imagine walking uphill in the heat with so many layers! No wonder she was laboriously plodding along.
Dete, the woman, asks Heidi if she is tired, but Heidi says she is just hot. Dete encourages her to walk bravely and take long steps as they are almost at the top.
Meeting a Goatherd
While walking, Heidi spots a young goatherd climbing with his goats. He was wearing only a pair of shorts and walking easily on his bare feet. Heidi tries to follow him, but the heat and her heavy clothes make it very difficult. She feels exhausted.
A Quick Change
Looking at the goatherd, Heidi has an idea! She sits down and quickly takes off her shoes and stockings. Then, she unwinds her red shawl and unbuttons her first dress. Surprise! There was another frock underneath, and she took that off too. Now, she was only in her light short-sleeved undergarment. She made a little pile of her clothes and then happily followed the goatherd and the goats, able to move much more easily, leaping and skipping as nimbly as the goats.
Dete's Reaction
After some time, Dete sees Heidi in her undergarment and is shocked and angry! She asks Heidi where all her clothes are – the two frocks, the red shawl, the new shoes, and the new stockings. Heidi quietly points down the mountainside. Dete can see a bundle with a spot of red on top.
Dete scolds Heidi, calling her a "good-for-nothing little thing!" because it's a long walk down to fetch the clothes. She then asks the goatherd, Peter, to go and get them, promising him something nice. Peter, initially reluctant because he was late, quickly agrees when Dete offers him a bright new coin. He runs down and returns with the bundle, and Dete gives him the money, making him very happy.
Reaching the Destination
Dete tells Peter he can carry the clothes as far as Uncle's hut. After almost an hour of climbing, they reach the top of the Alm mountain. There, behind the hut with three old fir trees, stood Uncle's hut. On the side facing the valley, there was a seat where Uncle was sitting.
Meeting Grandfather
As they arrive, Heidi goes straight to the old man and says, "Good-evening, Grandfather". The old man looks at her gruffly from under his bushy eyebrows and asks what this is all about. Heidi just stares back at him.
Dete then approaches the old man, greets him, and tells him she has brought him Tobias and Adelaide's child. The old man asks what the child has to do with him. Dete explains that the child is to remain with him. She says she has done her duty for four years and now it's his turn.
A Difficult Farewell
The old man questions what he should do when Heidi misses Dete. Dete replies that it is his problem. She reminds him that she took care of Heidi as an infant and now she needs to look after her own earnings. She states that he is the next of kin and warns him that he will be responsible if anything happens to Heidi.
Hearing this, Uncle gets angry and tells Dete to leave immediately and never return quickly. Dete doesn't hesitate, says goodbye to both Uncle and Heidi, and runs down the mountain. Although she feels a bit guilty for leaving Heidi, she comforts herself by thinking she will help Heidi when she has enough money.
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