Mount Etna

I am super tall and live on a sunny island. I can see the big blue sea all around me. Sometimes, a little puff of white smoke comes from my top, like a soft cloud floating by. Hello. I am Mount Etna, a friendly volcano in a beautiful place called Sicily. I love when the sun warms my rocky sides and little flowers grow all over me. I am happy to be a big, gentle mountain for everyone to see.

I have been here for a very, very long time. I started growing from under the sea a super long time ago, around 500,000 years ago. That's older than any person or any house. Sometimes, my tummy rumbles deep inside. When it does, I glow with a warm, red light, like a giant night-light shining for the whole island. This isn't scary, it's how I make my soil extra special. Farmers who live near me use this good soil to grow the yummiest oranges and the sweetest grapes. A long time ago, friends called the Greeks and Romans saw me glow. They told happy stories and thought a giant blacksmith lived inside me, making things with my warm fire.

Today, friends from all over the world come to visit me. They ride in special cars up my sides to see the amazing view from my top. They wave hello to me and I love feeling their happy feet walking on my paths. Smart scientists also visit me. They listen to my tummy rumbles and learn all my secrets. I am so happy to share my wonderful soil for tasty food. I love to stand tall and beautiful for everyone to see on my sunny island of Sicily.