 Penguin presents Heidi by Johanna Speary, read by Gemma Whelan. CHAPTER 1 UP THE MOUNTAIN The pretty little Swiss town of Mayenfeld lies at the foot of a mountain range, whose grim rugged peaks tower high above the valley below. Behind the town, a footpath winds gently up to the heights. The grass on the lower slopes is poor, but the air is fragrant with the scent of mountain flowers from the rich pastureland higher up. One sunny June morning, a tall, sturdy young woman was climbing up the path. She had a bundle in one hand and held a little girl about five years old by the other. The child's son-burnt cheeks were flushed, which was not surprising. For though the sun was hot, she was wrapped up.