Author: Xiang Yi Tan, Year 7S
Date: February 2022
Siti and Ismail set foot in the forest whilst blustery, saccharine wind carried mostly cadmium yellow coloured, leathery leaves (few were juniper green) high above in the humid air. Towering rubber trees with smooth, grayish barks had unruly, deep roots extended far into the ground. Numerous dead branches were scattered across the floor. Flowing sully water colliding with rocks harmonised with the sound of wind rustling through the bare trees. Multi-coloured birds with missing feathers (that varied in species) perched on top of branches, that dripped with sap, and chaotically chorused with one another. Overcasting clouds glimmering with silver covered the honeycomb-yellow, scorching sun. Each cream coloured cloud had a silver lining to it and a hint of powder blue.
As the two approached the lake, a sudden large jolt shaked the ground, which was then followed by more vigorous thrusts. Mucky water erupts from the lake, flooding the floor, as a creature that looked as if it came out of a fairytale emerged from the lake. It looked similar to a snake, it had a snout and glistening merigold scales that faded into an apricot orange. It had a majestic mane that naturally looked wavy, it oddly resembled seaweed. Along with it’s unnaturally pale eyes with slitted pupils, it had sharp dagger-like fangs that were porcelain white. It’s chartreuse green eyes didn’t reflect in the dirty water.
Shaken by the gigantuan animal, Siti and Ismail returned to their home. They discussed the creature, agreeing to return to the lake and observe it further but for now they would sleep. Ismail woke up abruptly and pieced together the monster was a dragon, one from a local myth his grandfather had told him. The Seri Gumum Dragon.
With a burst of energy given by the sudden realisation, Ismail researched about the mythical being as much as he could before the morning light.
As myriads of butterscotch yellow and amber rose alongside the sun, Siti awaked to her brother, Ismail on the computer typing away. He turned and faced Siti, excited to share his discovery. After Siti was fully informed by her brother of what the creature was, they both went back to the lake.
The dragon’s scales were subtly duller than before, there were patches on the dragon that had no scales, it’s eyes had less life within them, now they were cloudy and wearisome. The mythical beast twitched incessantly as a few scales fell into the contaminated water. It’s eyes were sunken and you could hear it’s shallow breathing. It’s size gradually decreased over time along with its appetite. It’s carefree, bold nature began to fade away because of its sudden uninterest of the things that happened around it. The chartreuse green in its eyes turned into a more dusky basil green. The dragon’s scales resembled a mix of persian orange and alloy orange but much more faded.
After returning home, Siti and Ismail rested, exhilarated to return to the lake to observe the dragon once more. As they revisited the lake, the dragon’s corpse lay motionless, it’s tail submerged in the water but it’s head laid on land, its eyes were partially open but unblinking and slightly dilated. Its face looked as if it was bleached, almost all of its scales had fallen into the lake. It’s claws stabbed deep into the floor, it’s mouth shut tightly. Its luxurious mane had parts that were torn off and it’s claws were fracturing.
The two stood frozen as if paralysed at the sight of the creature so lifeless, regaining their grip on reality they decided to find a vet and bring him to the dragon. They raced to their car and drove to the nearest veterinary hospital, requesting for immediate assistance. They then drove back to the dragon now accompanied by a vet, the two guided the vet to the dragon. But the ground where the dragon had laid was bare, the vet then called a car to pick him up and said for the two to not play pranks on people trying to do their jobs.
Siti and Ismail gaped in dismay. The trees were witherned and no longer had animals inhabiting them. The few spots that had grass, had grass the colour of dark medallion yellow. The lake no longer gleamed with magnificence and the fish were irregularly silent. The water looked more begrimed than before, it resembled waste more than a lake. The soil wasn’t moist or mushy and it was as if it hadn’t rained in ages. The trees were immensely rotting. The barks of the trees were falling off and the roots were damaged severely. All the leaves had fallen off the trees that once thrived with glory. The breeze was no longer delicate and gentle, it was now thunderous and violent. Fog enveloped the sky, concealing the shades of cerulean blue and sapphire blue. The air no longer had a honeyed taste, it had turned into a sulfur-like odor. The lake had an abundant amount of dead fish that floated up to the surface of the water. Flies swarmed the dead fish’s bodies. The sound of buzzing accompanied the odor of rotting fish.
Maybe the dragon only existed in our minds, however a healthy ecosystem is necessary for the protection of all living things and maybe that includes that mythical creature too. Water pollution causes destruction, because of it there is a lack of drinkable water and a lot of diseases can be caught from drinking or being inside the contaminated water. People could get cholera, typhoid, dysentery, diarrhea or skin infections just because of this issue. And if diseases like cholera aren’t treated, death could occur. Numerous animals have died due to this problem and we’ve exceedingly contributed to this, it is horrifying and revolting. To think because of our lack of care for our own environment, innocents will suffer. With this kind of disaster the dragon would be lost. Perhaps, if we are to be more considerate and take care of our environment, we wouldn’t lose more than we already have.
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