Soh Li wanted to meet her grandmother, who lived high up in the Himalayas. It was a very long journey to reach her house. But Soh Li was adamant to meet grandma.
So, the day her school closed for vacation, she left immediately. It was a long journey. Soh Li had to go by air first, and then take a bus, and finally walk the last part. Grandma lived in an area where it was impossible to reach by any vehicle.
‘What a beautiful and peaceful place this is!’ thought Soh Li happily, as she walked up the snowy path. Just then, she heard a loud bellow, “Who goes there? Halt!” Soh Li stopped right in her tracks! She was shocked.
“You cannot go any further!” Saying these words, a giant emerged from behind a big boulder. It was big like a huge oak tree and its feet were almost the same size as Soh Li’s arm. With red fierce-looking eyes, a bear-like snout, the monster had sharp white teeth and small monkey-like ears. With long arms that reached below his knees, the monster stood like a gorilla, his white furry coat merging with the white snow all around.
Soh Li was very scared but her eagerness to meet her grandma spurred her into a run. She started running towards grandmother’s house. The monster followed. The harder she ran, the faster he followed.
‘I have to make sure that this huge snow monster does not reach grandmother’s house,’ thought Soh Li, ‘Otherwise, he will trouble her for the rest of her life!’
Finally tired, Soh Li stopped in her tracks and turned towards the monster. She raised her arms in defeat and said loudly, “OK; you win! But please don’t hurt my dear grandmother.”
Immediately, the snow monster came close to her, sat
down and hugged her hard! He thought that Soh Li wanted to give him a hug and that was why she had raised her arms!
Soh Li wrapped her little arms around the big monster and hugged him. Immediately, he said, “Thank you!” and he sat down with the meekest expression on his face.
“I have been so lonely for so many years. Your hug has been the best thing that has happened in my life ever! Will you be my friend?” he cried loudly with tears of joy in his eyes.
Now, Soh Li had another reason to visit grandma’s house. She had to meet her new-found monster friend!
