The River Gives and Takes

Cool river flowing

On a scorching summer day in the Amazon, the river offers a prime spot for cooling off. 

With limited access to electricity and the high cost of air conditioning, many locals turn to the river as a place to relax and unwind. Children particularly enjoy swimming and playing in the water, while even those who are unable to swim, such as the elderly, find solace in sitting by the riverbank and feeling the refreshing breeze. I have even witnessed pregnant women sitting by the river, scooping up water to alleviate the heat. Undoubtedly, the unborn baby must appreciate the respite from the sweltering temperatures.

Boys like to jump

While I was seated in the boathouse, engaged in drawing on my smart board and honing my artistic skills, my concentration was disrupted by a young boy. He appeared to be inquisitive, exploring the the boathouse. Like many children, he struggled to heed warnings and instead became fascinated with the shrimp trap. Without a moment's thought, he tossed it into the river, believing he would catch something. Unfortunately, it drifted away before I could retrieve it. As if that were not enough, he pressed the erase button on my board, resulting in the loss of my work. He then laughed, dashed off, and leaped into the river, inadvertently knocking my T-shirt, which lay on the floor. Initially, I did not comprehend that there had been two splashes: one from the boy and the other from my house key. Consequently, I plunged into the river in search of it, but the murky water and mud rendered the task impossible. Children possess such charming and cheerful faces, yet they often act thoughtlessly and create chaos.

Boy Jumping

The forest relies on the river as its life source, and people have utilized it for various purposes such as drinking water and banana transportation. 

Unfortunately, in many nations, rivers have been neglected. Nowadays, rivers are contaminated globally, leading to a significant decline in aquatic life. When disposing of toxic waste materials, such as cleaning paint brushes or washing car engines, please refrain from using the river.