Amazon River

Swish, swoosh, chatter, cheep. Can you hear the sounds of the big, green forest. I am a long, watery path that twists and turns. Tall trees with bright green leaves reach up to the warm sun all around me. Colorful parrots and toucans fly over my head, painting the sky with red, blue, and yellow. Monkeys swing from branch to branch, chattering hello as I flow by. I am a home for so many wonderful animals. I am the mighty Amazon River.

My journey starts as tiny drops of water, high up in the tall Andes Mountains. Drip, drop, drip. I trickle down and more water joins me. I get bigger and bigger, and stronger and stronger, until I am a wide, flowing river on my way to the big ocean. I have so many friends. Playful pink dolphins leap and splash in my waters. Slow, sleepy sloths hang from the trees above me. For a very, very long time, people have lived near me. They build their homes and use special boats called canoes to paddle on my back. A long time ago, in the year 1541, an explorer named Francisco de Orellana sailed on my waters. He saw the brave people who lived here and they reminded him of strong warriors from a story, so he gave me my special name.

I am like the heart of the great big rainforest. I give water to all the tall trees and pretty flowers so they can grow big and strong. I am a home for the fish that swim inside me and a drinking fountain for all the animals that live on my shores. I connect everything and everyone. I connect the trees, the animals, and the people. Taking care of me helps keep the whole forest alive and wonderful, a happy home for everyone.