Danube River

I start as a tiny trickle in a big green forest. I giggle and gurgle as I grow, sparkling in the sunshine. I whisper past tall, sleepy castles on hills and dance through busy, bright cities. I flow and I flow, a long, glistening ribbon of water. I am the Danube River. I am a happy river, and I want to tell you my story. I love to feel the little fish swim with me and see the green trees wave hello from my banks as I travel on my big adventure to the sea.

My journey is super long. I travel through ten different countries, which is more than any other river in the whole world. For a very, very long time, people have been my friends. Long ago, people called Romans sailed their boats on my waters to visit new places. Today, big boats and little boats still float along with me. They carry people and special treasures from one city to another, like the beautiful cities of Vienna and Budapest. I am like a friendly, watery road that connects everyone and helps them share things. I love having so many friends in so many different places. It makes me feel very important and loved.

My flowing water sounds like a happy song. Swish, swoosh, bubble, pop. A long time ago, on February 15th, 1867, a man named Johann Strauss II listened to my song. He thought my music was so beautiful that he wrote his own music about me. He called it ‘The Blue Danube.’ It’s a beautiful, twirly waltz that makes people want to dance and smile. I feel so proud that my watery song could help make such happy music for the whole world to enjoy. It makes me want to dance, too.

I am still flowing today, connecting friends across many lands. Birds come to visit me, and people love to sit by my side and watch the boats float by. I will keep singing my watery song and sparkling for everyone to enjoy for a long, long time. Come and play by my water anytime you can be my friend too.