Beach or mountains? Which do you prefer? Why?
Do you think Heidi, the girl of the Swiss Alps, would have been the same if her story started in a city by the seaside instead of the mountains? Let’s first imagine how things might have changed in her story.
Her gruff grandfather, instead of tending to his sheep and house, he might have been a fisherman. Her best friend, the shepherd, might be a sailor. The green scenery, the endless open green space, the towering mountains, the fresh air, the sheep, cows, and horses grazing around the mountains, and the free activities of climbing and hiking, might all be replaced by the different location.There would be the blue, endless sea, its close, reachable sky, its salty, fresh breeze, its rocky or sandy beach, its boats and ships, its colourful marine life, and its free activities of swimming, diving, and sailing.
Both places are amazing, full of space and freedom. Perhaps Heidi would have liked her life in a city by the seaside. She moved in the first place to live with her grandfather, the only living relative who had time and space to look after the orphaned Heidi. So, she would love it anywhere as long as she had his company. But the story would not be the same. It would have a different beauty.
I think I would like ‘Heidi, the girl of the Swiss Alps’ more than than ‘Heidi, the girl of the ocean’, but perhaps both can enjoy a short visit to each other on holidays.
With all the best wishes,
Nahla
Pure and Simple 