Creative Writing

Short Story - Tuvalu

Hi! So this is a short story that I needed to write for school. It had to be a short story that explains the problems that the Tuvalu people face and how they are trying to solve these problems. I hope that it actually does that. If you can't watch the video above, here is the link --> https://youtu.be/7yPQzLyXmp4 

Hope you enjoy!!

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I stand outside my house and look over to the sea. It is high tide and the water is coming close to the house. I am alone. Many of my friends have gone. They left with their families to go to New Zealand or Australia, to escape the ocean.

A huge wave comes and crashes down, spraying me. The water floods onto the floor. I head inside to get the brush. The brush is helpful, it makes sweeping away the water easier. But there has been a lot more water lately, so it takes longer to sweep away. I fear our island and our population of 12,000 will drown.

My mother always told me that she used to run up and then down to get to the ocean. But she also added, "Now, you can just look and the water is there. High tide is when that land disappears," while pointing to the land in front of our house.

When my friends came back, we had a big family and friends reunion, for my uncles and aunts had come back as well. There was a lot of dancing and music. There was good food as well. But, nothing could take my mind off of our island drowning. Not even when my brother started to dance with me.

One of my friends told me what it was like for him in New Zealand. He says it was different and that he misses our island. I told him that our island will not be here for as long as we thought. I told him that we were all being forced to move by the disappearance of our homeland under water. He told me that I lied.

He did not know that this was a matter of life and death. He was ignorant and naive. I wished for him to stay that way, the way I had never been. I know that people have been leaving the island and abandoning their homes. I know that our island may be in the first country to fall victim to the rise in the sea.

I know we only have the next few decades to prepare to move and I know the older generation are not willing to leave. I am not willing to leave, either. I was born here, and I wish to die here. I know that if we move, our culture and ancient traditions could be lost. I do not think that we would all be able to settle and live in one place, together like we are on our island now.

My friends had gone back to New Zealand and Australia, but not after asking me when I would join them there. I told them, "Never. I was born here, and so I will die here." They told me that I will not die soon. I told them that they cannot be so sure.

So now, I stop sweeping. I let the water from the waves wash over me, washing away these thoughts. All I need to know is that I will not leave. This is my island, where I was born and where I will die.         bbbbbbbbbb