The Reef at Low Tide

When the tide pulled away from the reef, Maia and her uncle slipped into the water for a snorkel. Sunlight reached the coral, turning its branches orange, purple and gold. Small fish flickered between them like sparks. A green sea turtle paddled past. Its front flippers swept slowly and steadily, carrying it over the reef without seeming to hurry. Above it, a manta ray swam in wide, smooth loops. Maia watched quietly so she would not frighten the animals. Then a shape appeared in the blue distance: an old shipwreck, its wooden ribs softened by years underwater. A pair of curious dolphins circled it, rising to the surface for a breath before diving again. Maia felt a thrill of mystery, but she stayed close to her uncle. On the way back, she spotted a shark cruising far beyond the reef. It did not approach them. Maia realised that the ocean was full of powerful creatures, each with its own place and way of moving.

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