Walk, walk, the Day Gets Bright
Written by Kaja Štojs
In a little village, hidden behind a mighty mountain, lived a small girl for whom today was a very special day. She was woken in bed by her grandfather’s singing:
“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Kaja, happy birthday to you!”
In front of his granddaughter, he placed a narrow package wrapped in spotted paper with a large turquoise silk bow on top.
“Here you are, this gift is for you. Open it, and then I’ll take you—you know where,” he winked.
Kaja carefully unwrapped the gift and found a velvet box inside. Nestled within lay a carefully kept emerald-green flute.
“Thank you, Grandad! I can’t wait to play it!” she cried, throwing her arms around him.
“This, dear Kaja, is a magical singing flute,” Grandad Jožek told her mysteriously. “Come, you shall try it out at the top of Rock Mountain.”
They got into the car and drove up the winding road. As every year, her grandfather took her on her birthday right to the top of the mountain that towered above the village. Parking in the shade of the trees, they strolled along a narrow grassy path until they reached a wooden swing at the cliff’s edge, where they both sat down.
“You know,” Grandad recalled, “when I was your age, I used to walk up Rock Mountain every evening to admire the sunset. Back then you couldn’t reach the top by car.
Illustrated by Gregor Šuštar
“What is a sunset?” Kaja asked curiously.
He explained:
“That was what we used to call it when the sun went to sleep. The air was so clear then that from the top you could see everywhere. On one side you saw the highest mountains of Europe, their peaks embracing you. On the other, in the distance, the deep blue sea stretched out, and you could even hear the sound of the waves. The sun’s rays caressed your face, keeping you company so that you were never alone. When the sun grew sleepy, it slowly sank into the sea. The golden beams scattered across the water’s surface, the sky blushed in shades of scarlet, and all the mountain peaks sparkled like tiny flames. That was when I wished the sun sweet dreams and good night, before heading home.”
Kaja’s eyes sparkled:
“I want to see the sunset too!”
But wherever she looked, there was only smoky grey sky and dusty air, hiding the sun. Then an idea struck her:
“Hey, what if I play a melody that will clear the sky and call the sun back?”
She took out the magical singing flute and began to play. A lilting tune rang out, Grandad began to dance, and the sun joined in with a song:
“Walk, walk, the day gets bright,
Walk, walk, in morning light.
Walk, walk, climb up the hill,
So the sun may dream until.”
The little girl understood what the sun meant. From then on, she and Grandad walked up Rock Mountain on foot instead of driving. They hiked with determination, covering many paths. Each time they reached the top, the view grew less grey, until finally the surrounding hills came into sight. Yet the sea and the sun still remained hidden.
They persevered for a whole year, returning again to celebrate Kaja’s birthday. Breathless, they climbed to the top, where before them opened an even more wonderful view than Grandad remembered.
“Look, the sun is visible again! And the sea! And the mountains! For the first time I will see a sunset!” Kaja cried, delighted.
“We did it!” they shouted together.
The sun, sleepy once more, began to sink into the sea. Its rays bounced from the waves onto their faces, stroking them goodnight. The sky embraced them in hues of orange, red and pink, lighting a spark in their eyes. Overjoyed, Kaja took out her magical flute and played. The sun sang a lullaby:
“Walk, walk, keep climbing high,
Then I will shine across the sky.
Walk, walk, till dreams descend,
I drift to sleep, day’s gentle end.”
“Goodnight, Sun,” said Grandad.
“And sweet dreams,” added Kaja.
“Goodnight, sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite,” the sun whispered, before it disappeared.