The Great Barrier Reef

The warm sun tickles my back. Sparkly blue water washes all around me. Swish, swoosh, go the gentle waves. Little yellow fish and big blue fish play hide-and-seek in my colorful arms. They peek out from behind my corners and giggle with bubbles. I am a secret city under the sea, full of light and life and wiggles. I am a rainbow garden where sea turtles nap. Do you know who I am? I am the Great Barrier Reef. I am so happy you are here to visit me.

I was not always this big. I grew and grew, little by little. My builders were very tiny animals called coral polyps. They are my tiny builders. Like you stack blocks, they built colorful little homes, one on top of the other, until I became a giant, beautiful city. This has been happening for a very, very long time. The first people knew all my secrets. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have always lived near me and cared for me. They know my songs and stories. Much later, a man in a big boat sailed by. It was the year 1770, and his name was Captain James Cook. He looked into the water and saw my amazing colors. He was so surprised by how big I was.

I am a home for so many friends. Green turtles swim slowly by to say hello. Bright clownfish play in their cozy spots. Starfish wave their arms as they slide along my walls. I love having so many creatures live with me. People from all over the world come to visit. They put on masks and swim down to see my wonderful colors and my happy fish. I love when they visit. I am here to remind you how wonderful our ocean is. If we all help keep the water clean, my tiny builders can keep building, and my animal friends can stay safe and happy forever.