The story takes place on Mantanani Island in Malaysia. Datiz, a fisherman’s son, loves the sea and every March he meets his friend Splash, a talking whale shark, who swims past the island. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean; they eat plankton and are not dangerous to people. One day his uncle comes from the neighbouring island of Sapi and teaches him blast fishing. The fishermen switch to the method, but the explosions destroy the coral reefs and the fish. Datiz sees a dead reef in Sapi, takes photos and shows them in class: people must buy fish from those who catch it sustainably. The pupils tell their families, the method stops, and the next March the reef is alive again. Blast fishing is dangerous and illegal in many countries; never do it.
Worked examples
Plot summary: First, Datiz and his father began blast fishing because it gave more fish. Then Splash warned that the reefs were dying. Next, Datiz visited Sapi and saw the damage. After that he showed photographs to his class. Finally, the island stopped blast fishing and the reef recovered.
Main idea: One young person can start a change if he or she learns the facts, shows them and does not give up.
Class activity
“Write the idea”: groups write the story’s idea in one sentence and discuss what change a pupil can start.
Practice
1
Who was Datiz?
A fisherman’s son
2
What kind of creature was Splash?
A whale shark
3
What did blast fishing damage?
The coral reefs
4
Why did Datiz show photographs in class?
Because proof convinces people and they see the problem with their own eyes.