The Town Inside the River's Arm

Polly follows a river through dry hills in the east of Spain. The river turns left and right between high rocks. Then it makes one big loop, like an arm holding something. Inside the loop there is a town. Its pink houses climb the hill in rows, one above the other.

The town is called Albarracín. Only about a thousand people live here. The houses are pink and orange, with wooden balconies that hang over the narrow streets. High above the roofs, a stone wall climbs up the mountain. It looks much too big for such a small town.

Polly flies over the roofs and lands in the main square. It is very small, almost like a room. There is a little fountain in one corner. She smells fresh bread coming from an open door. Far away, up in the mountains, she hears a sheep bell.

The sun goes down and the lamps come on. The pink walls now look warm, like the last light of a fire. Polly sits on the fountain and watches it all. Tomorrow she will explore the streets. Tonight the little town goes to sleep inside the river's arm.