Come children, gather round and hear
A story of the mountains near
With Sherpas, mountaineers and geologists too
And wonders that are waiting for me and you

There's a plateau high up in the sky
Where the air is thin and the clouds float by
The terrain is rough and the journey's long
But the view from the top is worth the climb

A cinder cone is a different sight
A volcanic mountain of ash and light
With a fissure at the top where fire once flowed
And a polyp of rock where new life grows

Downstream from the mountain's peak
A river rushes, strong and sleek
Carving through the land with might
Creating a plunge pool, a wondrous sight

The Sherpas guide us through the snow
Their wisdom and strength helping us grow
And the mountaineers, with their courage and skill
Lead us to places we never thought we'd feel

But the geologist knows the land the best
Studying rocks and soil with interest
Discovering secrets hidden below
Of how this wonderland came to be so

So let us explore this world of wonder
And discover the beauty of the land we're under
With mountains high and valleys deep
And stories to tell before we sleep.

Reflections

1. What is a plateau, and how is it different from a mountain?
2. What do you think it's like to climb a cinder cone and see the polyps of rock growing there?
3. Have you ever seen a river create a plunge pool? How do you think this happens?
4. What do Sherpas do, and why are they important for climbing mountains?
5. How do geologists help us understand the land and the mountains we explore?