Sammy & Scarlett's Mangrove Adventure

Sammy always thought Scarlett was beautiful with her bright yellowtail with blue and yellow vertical stripes, but he knew she was very smart. Back in the little tidal pool, she had very often come up with great ideas on how to be safer and stay out of trouble. "Great idea Scarlett. Now the wind pushed us even closer to the mangroves. Ready on three. 1-2-3- GO!"
Together they darted from the weedline across the short distance into the roots of the mangrove trees. They were both very excited and kept swimming deeper into the protective structure and shade of the mangroves' many roots, which grew out like fingers into the sandy bottom.
Both of the small fish felt safe here, hidden among the roots. They had not been followed. As they looked down to the sandy bottom, many fish and animals were going about their business swimming between the roots foraging for a meal, occasionally chasing one another, fighting and playing.
The morning sun slowly rose into the east, painting the sky with purple, orange and yellow. Pulsating fingers of color penetrated between the roots of the mangroves while above a sea breeze brushed the sea's surface like a gentle feather.
Sammy and Scarlett had slept through the night since their journey into the mangroves the day before. Suddenly, a deep, strange yet friendly voice said, "Wake up, kids, you must be alert even here in the safety of my roots and shade of my limbs."
"Scarlett, wake up. Did you hear that?"
"Yes, Sammy, I thought I was dreaming," sighed Scarlett
They asked together, "Who said that?"
"I am Manuel the Mangrove, your host, my friends. I will be your home and your nursery until you are juvenile fish. You two must be hungry. Look closely at my roots, and you will find plenty to eat. However, please be careful. You must be ever aware of your surroundings because there are those here who might see you as food." said the friendly voice of Manuel.
The two baby fish looked down to the sandy bottom. This is where the teenager-sized fish were swimming and feeding at the edge of the seagrass meadows. Manual's deep soothing voice continued, "We mangroves have a very important job. We protect sea life like you two when they are very young and the most vulnerable. We work together with the barrier coral reefs and seagrass meadows to protect the shoreline in big storms and even hurricanes."
"Wow!" said Scarlett. "That is important, but who protects the mangroves?"
"Great question, Scarlett. Some humans protect us, but some humans also cut us down. In years past, thousands of mangroves in Florida were cut down. What takes a hundred years to grow can be removed in hours."
"Why would they cut down mangroves?" wondered Sammy.
"Well, Sammy, that's another great question. Years ago, people didn't understand how mangroves protect the land. People would cut down mangroves to provide a better view of the ocean," replied Manual.
"I wish we little fish could help you, Manuel," Sammy and Scarlett said at the same time, laughing.
"You can call me Manny, and you do help me every day. Your friendship makes my day brighter, happier and fuller. I love watching you grow. When you get bigger and swim off to the next stage of your lives, you will remember our time together, so part of me goes with you. Who knows, someday your babies may come here to the safety of my roots. This is the circle of life."
"Now, please, go find some breakfast, and we can talk more later," Manny said with a chuckle.