River Thames

I wiggle and I giggle through a big, busy city. The sun makes me sparkle like glitter. I see big red buses drive over my bridges, and I look up at a very tall clock tower that goes 'bong, bong, bong'. I flow past green parks where children play and past big, important houses where kings and queens live. I love to watch the city wake up and go to sleep. Do you know who I am. I am the River Thames.

My story is very, very long. A long time ago, around the year 43, some people called Romans came and built a little town on my banks. They named it Londinium. I watched it grow bigger and bigger. I saw kings and queens sail by in their fancy boats, waving to everyone. One night, on September 2nd, 1666, there was a big fire in the city. I was like a big water wall that helped stop the fire from spreading everywhere. It was a very important job. A long, long time after that, in the summer of 1858, I got a little bit smelly. But a very clever man named Joseph Bazalgette built special tunnels under the ground to help keep me clean and fresh. I was so happy.

Today, I have a very happy job. I love watching all the boats sail on me. Some are big and some are small. People walk next to me and wave at the boats. I get to see a giant wheel go round and round in the sky. It’s called the London Eye, and it sparkles with lights at night. I am the heart of London. I connect all the people and all the places. I am always here, flowing and sparkling, watching over my wonderful city and all the friends who visit me.