Grant’s Hilltop Surprise

Grant and Neil set off up the hill with Mum, carrying a small picture map from Dad. Dad has gone ahead to prepare a surprise at the viewpoint. His drawing shows a bench, a tall pine tree and a route through a wooden gate.

When they reach the gate, they find a notice saying that the path beyond is closed for repairs. Grant feels disappointed. He can see the pine tree on the hill, but the map’s short route is no longer open to them.

Neil points to a narrow gap beside the gate, wondering whether they could squeeze through. Mum explains that the closure applies to the whole path. They stay on their side of the gate and look for information about another way.

A sign at the junction shows an alternative path curving round the grassy slope. Mum checks the route and its distance, then calls Dad to tell him why they will arrive a little later than expected.

They follow the broad marked path together, keeping their map in its clear cover. Grant notices that they pass a patch of purple flowers which was not on Dad’s drawing. Neil spots the viewpoint bench above them beyond the next bend.

At the top, Dad waves from beside the bench and the tall pine tree. A small picnic is waiting in a basket. He is glad they followed the open path, and he has saved their warm drinks in a flask.

While they eat, Grant adds a curved line to a copy of the map. Neil draws the closed gate and purple flowers. These show how their journey differed from the route Dad had expected.

“We still found the surprise,” Grant says, looking across the valley. Mum reminds them that a useful plan can change when they learn something new. On the way down, they follow the same open path and leave the repair gate closed.