In June, Caterham Rotary Club reported that the winners of their Young Writer Competition had been chosen. This month, we are bringing you the winning entry – a descriptive and beautifully written story that emphasises the damage plastic littering is doing in our seas and oceans. Well done Jaimin!
Our environment
By Jaimin Patel, Year 4, Oakhyrst Grange School
Beside the beautiful shore of the ocean lay a small, speckled egg. It belonged to a sea turtle and it was almost ready to hatch. The next morning, while the sunshine beat down on the silky crystalline sand, there appeared to be a small crack in the spotty eggshell. Two little eyes and four scaly feet emerged to reveal a cute, emerald green baby turtle.
Bewildered and alone, with complete instinct, it shuffled as fast as it could to the crystal clear water. As he glided through the water, he felt comforted by the waves of the turquoise ocean lapping around him.
Suddenly, he was gripped by a strong current pulling him into a whirlpool. Frightened, he was gasping for breath while attempting to reach the glittering sea surface. The little green turtle, stunned, closed his eyes, feeling there was no hope. When he blinked again, there was an unusual thin white rope around his neck.
Try as he might, the strange white object kept following him, even as he stretched his neck out to escape it. His legs were tired and his heart as heavy as lead. Would he make his first week birthday, let alone his first year? The material was as light as a feather and yet ballooned with water. It was hanging around his neck like a decoration for Christmas.
He looked at the horizon and a whole army of plastic bags were spread across the sea. He was astonished by what he saw and exasperated because he was still not free.
At that moment, a deep shadow fell over him. A man with a fishing net stared at the turtle in a melancholy way. Gingerly, he reached down and said, “Hello you, let’s take a look at you.” His face was wrinkled, yet warm and kind. He removed the plastic noose. The little green turtle let out a sigh of relief. As the turtle’s eyes widened, he noticed the nice old man’s house on the sea was called ‘Sea Life Rescue’.
The kind man said, “I will take care of you till you are well again. I will take photos of this scene for my documentary. Everyone around the world will know how important it is not to litter in the ocean or on the beach and to recycle their plastic. So gorgeous little creatures like you can thrive!”
The little turtle was overjoyed to have been saved but wondered about his family. He had had a lucky escape.
The next thing that happened, you would hardly believe. The little green turtle felt like he was looking at a mirror – all he could see was a reflection of himself. Another man tapped the kind old man’s shoulder and exclaimed, “I think that’s a wrap, David!”
The little green turtle was staring into a video camera and had no idea what it was.
The lovely old man grinned while cuppin the baby sea turtle in the palms of his hands.
Gently he whispered, “You are going to be the most famous little sea turtle. Everyone will know of how you have suffered because of the way we human beings treat the environment. I will make sure of it. It’s my duty. After all, I’m David Attenborough.”
The baby sea turtle looked up at the bright blue sky and thought to himself, “Tomorrow is another day and I will get to be two days old.”
(Above: Young writer Jaimin)
