Amelia is very fond of the sea. She would always watch the documentaries about dolphins, sea turtles, and even sharks! However, she has never seen the real thing. Her Mom and Dad are always busy with their work and grandpa is too old to take her anywhere. On her free time at home, she plays with her dolls and stuffed toys, pretending that her family is going to the beach and playing with dolphins and other fishes.

One day, while playing in her room, Amelia heard noises coming from outside. It was different from the noises she would hear everyday. She rushed towards the window to see what was making the noise. She was thrilled when she saw two young boys, around her age, playing next door. Because of the excitement of having someone real to play with, she ran out of her room and out the house to greet their new neighbors.

“Hi there!” said Amelia. The two boys stopped in their steps and looked at her. “Hi,” they said in unison. “Can I play with you?” asked Amelia. The boys looked at each other and one said, “Sure! Why not? What’s your name?” Amelia looked really happy and said, “My name is Amelia. What’s yours?” The younger boy with a cap said, “I’m Brian, and he’s my older brother, Daniel.” Daniel asked, “What do you want to play? We don’t play girly games.” Boys wouldn’t like playing with dolls, she thought. “Do you like sea creatures?” asked Amelia. “I like sharks, but I haven’t seen one,” said Brian. He looked at Daniel, who had a scared face, and said, “Daniel doesn’t like the sea or anything in it. He was…” Daniel cut him off, “Stop it, Brian. She doesn’t have to know.” Amelia was puzzled. She didn’t understand why someone would dislike the sea. Daniel said, “I just don’t like the sea.” Amelia asked, “Why? Have you been to the sea?” Daniel didn’t answer and went inside their house. Brian said, “Sorry Amelia. He had a bad experience when he was younger. I have to go. It was nice meeting you! Let’s play some time, okay?” Amelia nodded and went back home sad.

Amelia woke up the next day and she found a surprise on her bedside table. It was a goldfish, lively swimming in its bowl. She rushed out of her room with the fish bowl in her hands. “Mommy, Daddy!” she screamed. “Honey, slow down,” Mom said to Amelia. “Mommy, thank you for the goldfish!” said Amelia with a smile wide enough to see all her teeth. “Anything for you, dear,” replied her Dad. “Anything? Can we go to the beach? I want to see the fishes there and dolphins and sea turtles and sharks too!” said Amelia. Mom and Dad looked at each other and Mom said, “Sure, honey. We’ll go on Sunday, alright?” Amelia was overjoyed. She couldn’t believe she was going to the beach, and see the sea creatures that she loves so much. She had to tell someone – but to whom? Brian! “Mom, Dad, I’ll just go next door,” said Amelia.

She rang the doorbell, with the fish bowl still in her hands. Daniel was the one who came to the door, but she still said, “Look! I got a goldfish for my birthday!” Daniel didn’t seem to like it, but he said, “You’re looking for Brian, right? Wait, I’ll call him.”

Brian came out and Amelia told him about the goldfish and the trip to the beach on Sunday. She asked, “Do you want to come with us? It’s like a birthday party.” Brian looked hesitant, “I’ll ask my parents.” When Brian came back, he looked depressed. “Sorry Amelia, we can’t go.” Amelia said, “Oh. Is it because of Daniel?” Brian nodded and said, “He almost drowned before, so he doesn’t like the sea.” She was surprised and said, “Sorry, I won’t force you to go anymore.”

Sunday came and Amelia was really excited. When they got to the beach, she saw something out of her expectations. There was trash everywhere – even in the water. “Mom, won’t the fishes die if there is a lot of trash in the sea?” Her Mom replied, “Yes darling, but there are people who don’t care.” Amelia had tears in her eyes, a world with no fishes, dolphins or any sea creature. “I don’t want that,” said Amelia. “What don’t you want, honey?” asked Dad. “I don’t want the fishes to die! I want to help them!” She ran towards the water and picked up the plastic bags, cans, and other trash that were in the sea, with tears in her eyes.