Catapat-
Suddenly something grabbed hold of Sharon's ankle, holding fast. 
A voice whispered in her ear, beware, everything is not what it 
seems up there, beware.  Sharon looked around, and not seeing 
anyone, continued climbing.  Wondering where the voice came from,
she looked around as she climbed. In wonderment, she realized the
yellow flowers have faces.  As she looked at one, it opened 2 blue 
eyes and looked back. The mouth opened and the flower began 
to whisper.........

Ghostmouse-
Turn back, silly girl, you don't really want to go up there!

Sharon nearly let go the stalk she was climbing; slipping down a 
little ways she regained her footing on a leaf stem.

Looking about, deciding the flower had addressed her, she replied,
You're right, I don't, but the old man didn't give me much of a choice,
thank you very much for the advice, but I haven't a lot of time and
I've a long way to go yet . . .

Too true," said the flower, it's a very long way back and only a little
ways to the top . . 

You mean a long way to the top and just a little ways back down,
don't you?" said Sharon. As she spoke she looked down, a gasp
escaped her chest and she suddenly felt quite dizzy.  Beneath her 
feet were clouds; beyond them she could barely make out the 
rooftops of her little hometown, the roofs of the housetops reflected 
late afternoon sun.

B-b-b-b but that's IMPOSSIBLE!, she stammered, I've only just 
started out!

The flowers around her began to giggle in high-pitched voices,
the giggling gave way to a chant…"B- b- b- b but that's impossible!"
The flowers began repeating it in a singsong; Sharon began to climb
away from them annoyed and suddenly a bit frightened. She climbed
until the sound of the taunting faded. Testing the strength of a leaf, 
determining it would hold her weight; she sat down and fought back
tears.

Oh, this is all so horrible!, she thought to herself. This was supposed
to have been a wonderful Saturday, and that awful man had just ruined
it all, and mother was going to be furious, and Sam would probably 
never speak to her again…and…suddenly she thought about what could
happen if she didn't solve the riddle…she'd never see her mother or 
Sam again, none of it would matter. At that thought she began to cry
harder until the leaf she sat on shook with the force of her sobs.

Another of the yellow flowers bent its head over her.  Crying, little girl?
And what do you expect to accomplish with that?" Wagging its large
yellow head from side to side it made a clucking noise. Sharon sniffled
and looked up.  Well, and just what am I expected to accomplish, then?
It's not every day that I climb up a giant vine on my way to who knows 
what, and get insulted by flowers, of all things!  She dried her eyes
with the back of her hand and stood up. She looked up over her head 
and saw that off in all directions she could see nothing but brown dirt 
suspended there above the clouds…here and there roots stuck out and
from time to time a worm or passing mole would stick its nose through
the dirt and peek out at her.  What am I supposed to do, crawl across
this upside down until I reach the edge?