Today, Mia, our dog Bella and I are out exploring Reimberg. Mum tells us that this trail is called the “Seven Bridges Trail” because you cross seven small bridges along the way—although there might be even more.

“One!” I shout as we cross the first bridge. “Let’s see if we can count them all.”

Mia smiles. “I’m sure we can.”

The trail leads through a forest, and we can hear a stream gently bubbling nearby. Beneath the third bridge, I stop. Bella is sniffing at something sparkling in the water.

“Mia, look! There’s something there!”

I kneel down, dip my hand into the icy water and pull out a small, smooth stone. It shines reddish-brown in the sunlight and feels warm, even though the water is freezing cold!

Suddenly, I hear a voice:

“At last, someone is listening to me!”

I jump back. “Did you hear that, Mia?”

She stares at me in surprise. “The stone just talked?”

The stone clears its throat. “I’ve been lying here for a very, very long time. I know the story of this stream, and I miss my friend Michel Lucius! He used to visit me often.”

Mia looks at it curiously. “Who is Michel Lucius?”

“When he was a little boy, Michel Lucius spent a lot of time here by the stream, looking at stones and digging in the ground. Later, he became a famous geologist and moved away. He studied rocks all across the country and even abroad,” the stone explains.

Suddenly, Bella barks towards a dark valley ahead of us.

“What’s over there?” I ask Mia.

Mia shakes her head, but the stone speaks again.

“That is the ‘Schankegriecht’. It is home to the ‘Schankemännchen’, an old bony ghost who loves playing tricks and scaring hikers.”

Mia swallows nervously. “That sounds scary.”

“Don’t worry,” I say bravely, although I feel a little uneasy myself. “You can’t see ghosts during the day.”

The stone chuckles. “Still, be careful. And every time you cross a bridge, remember to say hello to me.”

I gently place it back into the water.

We continue our way, counting the remaining bridges and looking back each time. Somehow, I am sure the stone is still watching us… and hopefully the “Schankemännchen” hasn’t noticed us.