Charlie’s Story (Change is inevitable)

This is a short story about how one little seahorse adapted to the continual changes in his environment caused by ocean pollution.

****

Charlie, the tiny seahorse, drifted helplessly through the wide Indonesian archipelago. He was usually anchored or drifting in seaweed. This sheltered life helped him stay well camouflaged.

He wasn't a strong swimmer. He needed help to navigate the currents. He rapidly fluttered his dorsal fin and used his pectoral fins behind his eyes to steer. It was tiring work, especially if he let go of the seaweed.

On this day, Charlie had embarked on an unexpected journey. He was feeling pretty pleased with himself (if you looked closely, you could see no worry in his eyes!). He had found a magnificent support, better than any seaweed, easier to grip and oh, so stylish! His new support felt different. It was firm, smooth to the touch, and stable as he floated along.

He was going to swim his way back to the garden of Eden, where his life had begun. Once he got into the current, it would be smooth sailing, and with his new sleek support, he would be there in no time.

He had accepted the changes to his environment despite not understanding them. He didn’t know why the lush seaweed bed that he had grown up in with his family had suddenly perished. He did not know why he had to let go of the last few strands of seaweed he once called home to grab onto his new support.

Charlie didn’t see it yet. He hadn’t thought much about the future or the challenges ahead that would change his life. He didn’t know he would have to adapt to further changes, each more demanding than the last. But for now, he was content, drifting along with his new buddy, ready to face whatever came his way.

He drifted for days around the archipelago. He moved up and down, back and forth, at the mercy of the tides, darting from one depleted weed bank to another. As happens to all cotton buds, his wonderful support became weaker. Charlie began to feel it. He felt more vulnerable to the tides than ever. His camouflage and security were now exposed.

Charlie knew he had to find a new support platform. He needed it to collect the tiny crustaceans drifting in his way. He had no stomach, so he had to eat constantly. But he couldn’t risk being exposed, or he would become food for other fish.

When Charlie thought all was lost, the turn of the tide brought all sorts of support his way. None of them resembled the seaweed he knew as a child. They had different shapes, colours, and sizes. He looked at them in amazement. Where did they all come from, and what were they doing in his home?

He came across a thin stick with weeds growing over half of it. Perfect, he thought. It was bigger and longer than his current support, and the weeds would provide some shelter.

Charlie made his move and quickly switched over to the plastic straw. He did not know it was a straw; how could he? He joyfully floated along the current after escaping the polluted waters. He was on his way to a coral garden filled with clear water and seahorses. There, he would proudly display his new support. When he got to the garden, he was disappointed. Many of the other seahorses had also found other straws and cotton buds to hang onto. “Such is life,” thought Charlie. It seems like everyone is going for the new look, but like him, out of necessity rather than desire.

Till next time,

Calvin