It was that kind of morning that was all new to me. The cold front touches my skin and the eerie silence greets everyone is different way back home. I opened my eyes and looked around me. I am standing on a cake of mud that threatens to submerge anyone thrice my weight. All around me, etched on the faces of my group mates is absolute glee and wonder. Like wow, we are actually standing on a mangrove sanctuary.
Green, branchy leafy mangroves planted in random ways and roots sprouting everywhere. I touched one smooth leaf and examined it. My classmates did the same.
Mangroves are like other trees. The only difference is that, mangroves may not be as promising as it looks with its thin branches, small fruits, and tiny flowers, but it is a tree naturally laden with a lot of purpose.
I thought of how those perfectly arranged roots can prevent the erosion of the shore and how many fishes and crabs had explored the same spot where I was. Cool wind blew and, and all of the sudden a mangrove fruit fell to the spot where my foot was three seconds ago.
I stared at it knowing that years ahead, where I am standing right now will be the exact place where a new important life had started.
~ STEPHAN JADE NAVARRO
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