Submission (#5451) Approved

It was a typical late spring morning on the island chain of Palu’au as the region residents went about their usual day to day activities. By this time, the streets were already bustling with pleasant commotion. The skies were clear and the sun was shining, casting a pleasant warmth on the denizens below, a warmth that promised even higher temperatures as the day wore on. It as the perfect weather for a day at the beach, which was exactly what Meltem decided when he woke up that morning. The smile on his face was as bright as the sun knowing that he would, once again, be spending the day at his favorite place in the whole of Eyre – the warm, sandy shores of Islasera.

Meltem could hardly contain his excitement as he quickly prepared everything he would need for the day ahead. Umbrella? Check. Beach towel? Check. A delicious lunch? Check. He could already hear the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore and his heart filled with excitement. The only thing that could possibly make this day any better was the company of a friend to spend the day with. But it had been months since his best friend had last stopped by for a visit and Pixis had wandered off to who knows where before Meltem had even had the energy to pull himself out of bed this morning. He didn’t mind though! He was more than happy spending the day on his own and as he made his way to the beach, he imagined all the wonderful things he would do that day.

One of the perks of living on the outskirts of town was that Meltem didn’t have to walk far to get to the beach. After a short walk, the kittom was quickly greeted by the sight of pristine white sand stretching out before him. The turquoise water sparkled under the warm sun and somehow seemed especially clear today; all manner of sea creatures could be seen just below the ocean’s surface. And after some searching with an especially practiced eye, Meltem found the perfect spot to set up his beach umbrella and spread out his towel.

Although Meltem had initially planned on having lunch first, the call of the ocean was too strong to resist and with a burst of energy, the blue kit ran towards the water, relishing in the feeling the soft sand between his toe beans. He jumped into the refreshing waves and let out a joyful laugh as they splashed around him. The water was just the right temperature, and Meltem didn’t hesitate to dive beneath the surface, eager to explore the underwater world.

With his snorkel and goggles on, Meltem marveled at the vibrant coral reefs and the colorful tropical fish that swam around him. It was like being in a magical underwater kingdom. He spotted a friendly sea turtle gracefully gliding through the water, and he followed it for a while, feeling as if he were part of its underwater journey and quietly wondering where that journey might take him if he were capable of following it all the way through. But unfortunately, the kittom couldn’t hold his breath for nearly as long and eventually lost sight of the creature during a break for air.

After his underwater adventure, Meltem emerged from the sea, his fur glistening with droplets. He decided to take a break and bask in the sun. He lay on his towel, feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin, and closed his eyes. He listened to the soothing sound of the waves, feeling completely at peace in this seaside paradise he was lucky to call home. And before he knew it, the warm embrace of the sun and gentle caress of the breeze had begun to make him feel quite sleepy.

Meltem was just beginning to doze off when he was startled awake by a gentle, but unexpected, tap on his shoulder. Opening his eyes, he saw a group of fellow kittoms building a sandcastle nearby. Excited to join in, he hopped up and ran towards them. Together, they gathered wet sand and molded it into magnificent towers and walls. They decorated the castle with seashells and seaweed, creating a seaside masterpiece fit for royalty. If he had been born a crab, Meltem mused, he would be more than happy to call this sandcastle home.

As the day went on, Meltem tried his hand at several different beach activities in the company of his newfound companions. He played a game of beach volleyball, feeling the sand squish between his toe beans with each jump. He built sand sculptures, letting his imagination run wild. He even took a long walk along the shoreline, collecting seashells and listening to the stories they whispered to him.

When at last the sun began to set, Meltem knew that his day at the beach was coming to an end. He watched in awe from the comfort of his beach towel as the sky transformed into shades of orange, pink, and purple. The waves became calmer, and the beach seemed to glow in the fading light. Even though he had lived in Islasera all his life, the sheer beauty of his island home never failed to amaze him and even seemed catch him by surprise every now and then. It was a breathtaking sight, he marveled, one that he would surely cherish forever.

Reluctantly, Meltem packed up his belongings and made his way back home. He carried with him memories of laughter, exploration, and the joy of a day spent on a tropical beach. As he fell asleep that night, he knew that he would always treasure those moments and eagerly await his next adventure by the sea.