Flappy the Flounder

Swish, swish I glide through the wavy ocean with my flounder fins slicing through the crystal clear water. My amazing heroes from the MWRA have cleaned the ocean! My name is Flappy the Flounder. My family has lived many years in the Boston Harbor and my home is clean and beautiful. Today, my teacher, Mr. Bluefish, has given me an assignment to learn how the Boston Harbor cleanup has helped everyone. I'm so excited to start this mission!

I swim through the water bumping into a massive fishing boat. I poke my head above the surface and the old captain stares at me looking like he is thinking about trying to catch me! "Hey, how is the water today? Is it the same as when you were a kid?" I asked, getting him by surprise.

"Oh no, the Boston Harbor used to be very dirty and polluted. Today, the water is clearer than it has ever been!" the captain shouts while anchoring his boat. "And, you should see our beaches. They are so clean! The sand is beautiful and the air is fresh. The MWRA has worked hard to clean the Boston Harbor. People are able to enjoy boating, swimming at our beaches and visiting the Boston Harbor Islands. Our harbor has become a beautiful gem!"

"Yes, it sure is amazing!", I shouted back up to him. As I continue swimming, I see sea grass and different types of seaweed.

"Have you seen us? We are so tall, healthy and strong! We finally are able to grow without a bag getting stuck to us. Now that there is no trash blocking the sunlight we can go through photosynthesis so we can make food and stay firm and healthy. Staying healthy is important because we provide nutrients and energy for the ocean animals."

"Wow that's amazing!" I told them staring at their pretty colors and thick leaves and stems. I swim in circles for a while flapping my flounder fins back in forth and I meet my old friend Sally the Sea Turtle. "Have you noticed the water seems cleaner?" I quizzed her.

"Yes! It is amazing and I don't need to worry about eating plastic bags anymore or swimming into yucky waste. The best part is that my flippers don't get caught in plastic packaging anymore! Now that the water is clean all of us sea animals are growing and thriving again!"

"That's awesome! I said to him. Wow! I can't wait to go report back to Mr. Bluefish. What a wonderful day it has been learning how the cleanup has helped others. The Boston Harbor used to be one of the dirtiest places and now it sparkles like a beautiful jewel!