written by Stephanie
Carlos and Nina could hardly sit still as their car rolled into the seaside town and parked into the holiday house they’d be staying in.
The house was positioned so the backyard was the sand and beach. The shimmer of the ocean, and the sound of crashing waves and the feel of the cool salty breeze could all be enjoyed from the back deck.
This was going to be the best holiday ever.
“Can we go for a swim?” Carlos and Nina asked their dad as they helped unpacked the car.
Looking at his watch their father nodded.
“It’s only 3 o’clock and it’s a warm afternoon, we have plenty of time for a swim before dinner.”
Cheering they raced to their rooms and got ready to officially start their holiday.
Baby Leo clapped his chubby hands as their mother carried him towards the water.
“I’ll race you” Nina challenged as she started off down towards the water.
“Hey not fair” Carlos laughed kicking up sand as he sprinted down after his sister.
“Oh it’s cold” Nina gasped, as her feet meet the water.
Carlos arrived seconds later and began splashing her. Nina squealed, laughed and running away from her brother.
Then dad came up behind them and tackled them into the cool water.
Baby Leo giggled and mum laughed as the trio burst through the salty water laughing.
The afternoon went by quickly and soon it was time to go inside.
“I’m cold” Nina shivered, wrapping the towel mum handed to her around her body.
“And wrinkly” her brother added looking at their crinkly fingers and toes.
Making their way back towards the house the family stopped when all of a sudden they heard a clicking sound coming from the water behind them. Turning around their eyes rounded.
A sleek grey fin sliced through the water, followed by a glimmer of silver.
What was it?
Suddenly the children gasped in delight as the dolphin leapt gracefully into the air, twisting before it splashed back down.
“It’s a dolphin!” they all shouted.
Baby Leo woke up with the commotion looking towards the ocean his sleepy eyes blinking as he focused on the leaping sea creature.
Moving closer the family watched the amazing show that was just for them until the disappearing rays of sunlight remained them they were wet and cold!
Looking back one more time Carlos and Nina waved goodbye.
“Come back tomorrow” Nina invited as the beautiful dolphin disappeared beneath the waves.
That night during family worship dad read from Genesis chapter 1 and Carlos and Nina smiled when dad reached verses 20 & 21
And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
God really had done an amazing job creating the sea creatures and they couldn’t wait to discover what else they would fine during there week holiday.
Every afternoon, after the family had explored the beautiful seaside town and had done some sightseeing, they would make their way to the beach.
Carlos built sandcastles with towers which usually were washed away by morning, Nina collected colourful shells and stones, dad would swim and mum would wet baby Leos’ feet and make sure he didn’t eat the sand.
However, the best part of the day was late afternoon when their dolphin friend, would swim by, leaping, splashing, twisting, turning, clicking and whistling.
“I wish I could take him home” Nina said wistfully.
“Yeah” Carlos agreed. “He’d definitely make an awesome pet”
“Maybe we could keep him in the pool?” Nina grinned looking at her parents.
Her parents laughed.
“You know honey” mum began “this reminded me of when I was a little girl. Your grandpa, my dad used to be a life guard and the beach he patrolled was very dirty, people didn’t put rubbish in the bins”
Carlos and Nina gasped.
“One day a dolphin washed ashore with a plastic bag around his tail. Dad quickly called for help and soon he and other life guards saved the dolphin. That’s when he decided to put up posters all around the surf club that said-
“Keep the Beach Beautiful!”
“Pick Up Your Rubbish—Save the Dolphins!”
“He even arranged for a clean up day where the community came and cleaned the beach. I remember going and helping out too” she smiled.
“Wow” Nina said.
“How come we didn’t know this story” Carlos asked.
“Well I guess I had sort of forgotten until now and a great reminder to look after the beautiful creatures God has created.”
“Hmm I like it” Nina yawned.
“Alright kiddo, time for bed” Dad said. Moving a wrapped up sleeping baby Leo to his other arm.
“We’ll come back tomorrow” Dad promised.
That night tucked into her bed, as the cool breeze drifted through the window and the rhythm of the waves lulled her to sleep, Nina couldn’t help but think of those first days of creation when God so cleverly created the water and the animals beneath.
She couldn’t even begin to imagine how different the world be without any of the magnificent and unique sea creatures.
“Thank you, God, for your amazing creation” Nina whispered as she closed her eyes and went to sleep.
PICTURE CREDIT – CANVA/CANVA AI
