4. Lycabettus Hill Thunder
The flight to the little church of Saint-George on the top of Lycabettus Hill, lasted only a few minutes for the excited Kanelis, who chose this time to sit on the bell tower.
- It’s wonderful up here, he exclaimed, and the sea sparkles in the distance. I love its sky-blue color.
- Maybe you should become a captain and travel, my friend Kanelis.
- But who is it, where are you?
- Here, you silly, next to you. My name is Thunder, the big bell of Saint-George.
- Wow! Good afternoon, Thunder, you’ve got the nicest view of the city.
- Well, I can’t complain, I enjoy the sunrise and the sunset every day and I also likeseeing so many people in my small courtyard, people who speak foreign languages.Even though I don’t understand what they say to each other, I can feel theiradmiration for the hill. And the lights of the cameras shine bright and, with their cell phones, they send those beautiful moments to their friends and relatives aroundthe world.
- I see, Kanelis said. Things seem peaceful from high up, as if there are no problems or as if there is a solution for everything.
- Hmm, in some way, that’s how it is, when you look from above. You know it isn’t bad to try and look at your problems from a distance; many times this helps us find a solution and act!
- Yes, this is what Mr. Mimis and Mrs. Korallia often say; with a small dose of optimism, you can manage to do anything!
- So tell me, Thunder said, how do you like our city?
- I don’t know what to say, I didn’t expect that it would be so big and, from what I can tell, it tends to expand towards those mountains that I see around.
- This is my grievance too, Kanelis; in place of the wonderful forests in Parnetha,Penteli and Hymettus, today you see tall buildings. And the fires, I see them everysummer and my soul is burning. I want to shout and rouse the conscience of everycitizen, but I can’t. Who pays attention to a small bell?
- You are right, Kanelis said sorrowfully, there is nothing more beautiful than a forest and, when it is destroyed, it’s like they deprive us of the oxygen we breathe, what a shame…
- I only hope that people will soon realize the collective effort necessary for theprotection of the environment and that they won’t be consumed in interminableaccusations. But enough with this discussion, today it’s your own special day andthere are so many things to see.
- So what would you suggest?
- Undoubtedly, the Acropolis, Monastiraki and Thissio.
- It seems that you agree with my friend, Flat!
- Oh yes, the white road roller who constructed Attiki Motorway. I know him; he was great and very hard working. But I have another stop to suggest, before you go to the Acropolis.
- Please tell me.
- On Panepistimiou Avenue, there are three magnificent buildings; the Academy of Athens, the central building of the University of Athens and the impressive National Library. They are known as the architectural trilogy. I think that their magnificence will impress you.
- I’m leaving right now, goodbye Thunder, it was nice to meet you and talk to you.
- Goodbye, my dear flying friend, Thunder said cheerfully with a loud chime, Deeeen….