Problem In The Water World

Om is very worried today. He has to participate in an essay on Sea Pollution and its effect on water world and ultimately on the human beings. But to tell the truth he isn’t much aware how river or sea is polluted and its adverse effects though he has read about it in the school books and heard about it from his class teachers. He has read in news the effort taken by the Government of India to clean the Ganges but is it really working, he doubts. He goes through all types of websites referred to this subject but couldn’t gather much information.

He was still in front of his father’s computer when his mom comes in the room. She is very angry as she is asking Om to get ready for school but still he hasn’t done anything. She screams – Are you going to be late for school today?

Om jumped up from the chair looked at the clock and answered- No mom I’m going to get ready immediately

Om hurriedly takes his bath and wears his school dress. His mom has got his tiffin box ready. He puts it in his bag takes the water bottle and runs out of the house bidding mom goodbye. Om’s school is just twenty minutes’ distance so he walks this little distance to school. On his way he meets two of his classmates Varun and Shalini. Shalini says to him “Hello Om”

Om is so much distracted with his thought that he couldn’t hear her words. Both of the friends are very surprised as Om isn’t arrogant. He behaves well with every classmate so everyone loves him. What happened to him today, both thought. Varun advances and puts his hand on Om’s shoulder. Then he asks -What happened to you, is everything OK?

Om explains everything to them then says- English Sir is expecting that my essay will bring the trophy to our school.

Shalini said – Don’t worry, you will surely write the best essay.

They reach school when the first bell for prayer line rings. They run fast to their classes to leave the bags and join the prayer line. The whole day they were busy studying taking notes doing class work going to the fields during games period that Om didn’t get anytime to think about his project.

After school he came back home had his lunch and sat before the computer again to find out some points. After few minutes he felt tired and thought of playing some computer games. He opened the Charm Tale 2: Mermaid Lagoon and saw the water world. He started solving the puzzles collecting the gems and artefacts. He has to find Dorothy and save her. But where is she?

Suddenly he saw a diver beckoning him to join. Om was surprised. He didn’t think there will be any diver in the game other than him but its good there’s one such character. But how can a game character call him? Is he feeling sleepy? No! To remove his doubt he rubbed his eyes vigorously and looked at the screen for another time. No there is no doubt. This time the diver has advanced his hand towards Om. Om was so surprised that he didn’t think twice but raised his hand from the keyboard and touched the LCD screen of the computer. He could feel the touch of the diver! What a pleasant surprise. Suddenly the diver pulled him and he entered the water world.

The moment Om entered the water he was surprised to see that all the water plants and animals which he thought to be just part of computer game is very much alive! They moved to and fro in group or alone. The diver said – You have entered the water world for adventure. Me too! Come let’s do it together. Om answered – Yes I’m ready but how will I go with you? I don’t know swimming and I don’t have swimming costumes too

- I feel you didn’t notice yourself. You’re already in swimming suit and you can easily swim. Now come with me

Om looked at himself and found the diver’s words to be true. He answered – Yes let’s swim but I’ve another question. Where will we find the mermaid princess?

- Let’s start finding her. We have to find someone who can give us any clue as to where she stays

Both swam in the depth of the sea towards the east direction. Om could see whales octopuses seahorses coloured fish starfishes and all those whom he has just seen in television or computer. Om saw gems at the bottom of the sea and started collecting them. The diver too collected them. They solved different puzzles too. After some time Om found they have come to the deepest area of the sea and now couldn’t see any sea animals. Why the place is so deserted, he thought. He asked to the diver – Have we lost our way. I can’t see any sea creature. Now whom we will ask our way to the mermaid and her palace?

They swam for a long distance but couldn’t find anyone whom they can ask where the mermaid princess live or how she is unsafe. Suddenly Om saw a big whale coming towards them. He said to the diver – I feel he can answer our question

The diver stopped the whale and asked whereabouts of the princess and where can they find her. The whale answered – I feel maybe she is kept captured in the sunken ship

Om asked – Where is the ship?

- There it is

The whale indicated at a black object that could be seen hazily at a distance. They swam towards it. Om saw a big ship standing at the bottom of the sea. The water near the ship is very unclear as if something has been mixed with it. But what has been mixed with sea water and who did it? He advances near it and found all those are waste materials thrown in the sea by the human beings. But the water above the ship is vague too.

But where is the princess? All of a sudden a thought came in his mind. He turned towards the diver and said – Let us search for the princess from different sides

He nodded and said – Keep this whistle with you. If you find out something blow it loud, I’ll reach you quickly.

Om agreed and they swam in different directions. He entered the ship and went inside the different rooms. Most of the ship has rotten and broken. Where to find her? Unexpectedly he found her inside a cabin in almost unconscious condition. But she isn’t bound by chains or there isn’t any enemy soldier guarding her. He tried to wake her up. After some time she could open her eyes. Om asked – How are you feeling princess?

She answered – Not well. I can’t breathe clearly. Something is in this water which is choking my breath

- Oh how can I help you?

- Will you take me to some fresh water please where I can breathe?

- Sure

But she is too weak to swim and he can’t carry her alone. He came out of the ship and called the diver by blowing the whistle. When he came Om explained everything to him. Then both of them carried her towards the surface and placed her over a floating piece of wood. After few minutes passed she seemed to feel better. When she was able to talk again Om asked – Do you know where the king, your father is?

She tried and sat up then replied - Yes. He is in his palace when I left him and came out. But now I’m not aware of his whereabouts.

- Ok we will try to find him out but first explain to me how you became unconscious?

- It’s a bit long story. My dad used to say me that when he was child the sea was very lovely place to live in. There was enough food for all of the sea creatures. But as the time went by humans started throwing all the garbage into the rivers which ultimately came to the sea. Even ships that got wrecked due to storm sank down and polluted the water. He even said when there is fight among humans; they even come under the water by submarines and charge bombs at each other’s ships. He asked me not to venture out of our sea palace as sea isn’t same safe as before. I didn’t take it seriously so when I found out this ship I was bit curious and entered it. But something thick was floating in the water which was cutting off sunlight and oxygen from the water world. And after sometime I felt my breath choking and fell unconscious.

Om asked the diver to stay there with Dorothy and swam towards the ship again. When he couldn’t find anything in the depth of water he swam to the top of the ship to find a thick layer of petrol is floating over the water. He remembered to have heard about wrecking of an oil containing ship in recent past. He swam back to the princess and said - Yes oil has leaked from the containers in the wrecked ship and it is floating over the water.

Dorothy was worried – What will happen now? We will die ultimately if it is not cleared.

Om thought for a while. He didn’t know what to answer the princess. After a long time Om said – I cannot promise you princess how fast can it be cleaned but I can promise you that from today we will try not to pollute the rivers and I will ask my friends and our teachers to join hands to make people understand how pollution is creating nuisance in the life of sea creatures and ultimately of ours.

Dorothy said – Thank you and we all will expect that you will keep your promise

At that moment Om got up from his sleep. He was surprised to find himself near the computer. The game is still open. Was he dreaming, he thought? His dream was so real as if he was present there. He thought for several moments and his face brightened up. He has got the points to write down the essay.

Om’s English teacher Mr. Gomes was happy indeed. His student’s written essay has won the trophy. But Om has determined to work on this project too and has asked his friends to join hands with him. Everyone has readily come forward. Om is sure the new generation can save the world for their beautiful future. He could imagine Dorothy’s smile at this thought!