Salmon

Hello. I am a salmon. My life started in a cool, fresh river. I came from a tiny, round egg. When I hatched, I was a very small fish called a fry. Being so little meant I had to be careful. I would hide between the smooth, gray stones at the bottom of the river. This kept me safe from bigger fish who were looking for a snack. My river was my first home, and I loved the feeling of the cool water.

When I grew bigger, I started a very big adventure. I swam all the way down my river until I reached the giant, salty ocean. The ocean was so big and blue. It was so exciting to swim and explore such a huge new place. I found lots of yummy food to eat in the ocean. My favorite things were the tiny pink shrimp and little krill. Eating them helped me grow big and strong. It also made my scales turn a beautiful, shiny silver color.

After a long time swimming in the big ocean, I knew it was time to go home. I began the long swim all the way back to the very same river where I was born. I am a strong swimmer, and I knew the way. Now that I am home, I have a very important job. I will lay my own eggs in the riverbed. This will start new salmon families. My journey also helps the whole forest, because other animals can eat salmon to stay healthy. I help everything around my river home grow strong.