The Life of a Shark

By Erica (Age 10, Chinese International School)

I was swimming along with my brother and friend, Loopy and Scales. We were heading for the playground in the spring of the Coca river. Suddenly, we saw a flash of sunlight reflect on something shiny on the surface. We started to swim to the surface, and that was the worst mistake I ever made. A knife flew out and cut off my fin, then I sank to the ground, bleeding. After a few hours, another boat arrived. My brother and my friend had swam away. A beam of red light coursed through the water, and it stayed on me.

A voice above me said, "There's a shark!" I didn't even try to attack. They released a cage and caught me, and started to drive away. I hoped they were good, so I didn't struggle. I was carefully put in a tank with another shark, who also had his fin cut off. I learned that it was a tiger shark, just like me. He told me that we were going to a fish market, and I would be sold to National Geographic, who cared for sharks.

The next day, I was put into a tank with a nice male tiger shark, who was named Blaze, and another nurse shark named Meddy. After a few minutes, a group tended to me. They put some pasty stuff and wrapped a waterproof cloth over my wound. I ate some fish that they dumped into the tank and chased Blaze for stealing the fish I was going to eat. I stared at some visitors and bared my sharp teeth at them. Some silly people screamed and Meddy and Blaze showed their teeth too! Life was pretty good at the fish market. In the morning: eat fish and chat with Meddy and Blaze. Afternoon: eat fish, show my teeth at visitors. Evening: check up with people and glow my eyes at visitors.

After a few months, a green truck pulled up on the street. It was decorated with the words "National Geographic Wildlife". Three men came out, holding a large tank between then. I thought they must be very strong. The leader motioned the men to stop and put down the tank. Then they went to buy different fish, lots of fish. They picked out an angle fish with no fins, different fish missing different parts into a smaller tank. The three men carried the tanks into the "National Geographic Wildlife" truck. Then they went to the shark tank. They picked out Blaze and Meddy and went over to me. They had a quick discussion and loaded me into the truck. I was confused. Why did they want me?

I arrived at a HUGE place, painted green. They unloaded me into a huge pool, also filled with sharks. I slowly learned that the sharks in the pool were named Rosy, Sharp, Maner, Lion, Waery, Wave, and Death. I became friends with them and now I never miss the market.