Nine Islands, Three Plates

Polly flew low over black rock and green fields by the sea. Mist moved over the hills inland. This was São Miguel, the biggest Azores island.

Polly fløy lavt over svart stein og grønne jorder ved havet. Tåke drev over åsene inne i landet. Dette var São Miguel, den største øya i Asorene.

The island was made under the sea. Three huge pieces of the earth push together there. Heat rises through cracks in the rock. Every island here came from fire and cooled rock.

Øya ble laget under havet. Tre store deler av jorda presser sammen der. Varme stiger opp gjennom sprekker i steinen. Hver øy her kom fra ild og avkjølt stein.

Most fields here have a hedge of hydrangea flowers: blue, purple, and sometimes pink. Farmers brought the plants from Asia long ago to mark field borders. The rich soil makes the flowers deep blue.

De fleste jorder her har en hekk med hortensiaer: blå, lilla og noen ganger rosa. Bønder hentet plantene fra Asia for lenge siden for å markere grensene. Den rike jorda gjør blomstene dypblå.

Further inland, green hills rose around quiet valleys. Thin white steam rose from somewhere among them. Polly flew toward the high ground to look.

Lenger inne i landet reiste grønne åser seg rundt stille daler. Tynn hvit damp steg opp et sted der inne. Polly fløy mot høylandet for å se.