They don’t appear to be living, even when scrutinized up close, but if one looks down at them from a lofty perch and watches for many years, they will see that the mountains are actually alive.

Those that have studied the Appalachians the longest can pick out ears, eyes, horns, snouts. torsos, tails, and toes—all hidden under thick foliage and fog. Each is distinct from the other, though they share the same rocky, earthen innards; impossibly large and magical beings, the Moving Mountains travel less than 0.01 cm a year. Walking incredibly slow, they spew mist into the sky from their nostrils, ears, and mouths on a daily basis. The mountain’s breath sends breezes upon the backs of those around them; their bodies provide plants, animals, and humans with nourishment, shelter, and a sense of awe.

The beasts move so slowly that they often struggle to break from the numerous plants connecting them to the ground; an in-progress step may look like a great cliff-edge or cavern, water cascading beautifully down the…