Bayu Plants a Forest

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Bayu Plants a Forest
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Bayu lived in a fishing village on an island in Indonesia. One day, his grandfather took him to the beach with a bucket full of small green plants.

“These are baby mangrove trees,” said Grandfather. “Mangroves grow where the sea meets the land. Their roots look like long legs standing in the water.”

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“Why are we planting them?” asked Bayu.

Grandfather pointed at the shore. “When big waves come, the mangrove roots hold the sand in place. They protect our village. And little fish, crabs and shrimp hide between the roots, safe from bigger animals.”

Bayu pressed each tiny plant into the soft mud. It was sticky, and soon his feet were brown. He planted twenty little trees in a long line.

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Every month, Bayu went back to check on them. Most of them grew new leaves. A few did not survive, so he planted new ones in their place.

Two years later, the mangroves were taller than Bayu. One morning, he saw tiny fish swimming between their roots. “Look, Grandfather,” he whispered. “We planted a home for them.”

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The End

Questions about the story

Name:

Colour in the circle next to the right answer.

  1. 1Where do mangroves grow?
    A On top of mountainsB Where the sea meets the landC In the desert
  2. 2How do mangroves protect the village?
    A They scare away birdsB They give shade to the housesC Their roots hold the sand in place
  3. 3What did Bayu do when some trees did not survive?
    A He gave upB He asked Grandfather to do itC He planted new ones
  4. 4What did Bayu see between the roots at the end?
    A A turtleB A seashellC Tiny fish