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Schools will soon be closing. But not ours! Yours. Lots of kids will be coming to my home for their vacation. For me, school starts in the summer. After a winter spent resting, I am going to learn how to play hide and seek with people.
My mother is going to teach me where to hide and when certain beaches are full and when they are empty. If you happen to see one of us, please respect the fact that we are in school and don't disturb us. But you can tell the SAD-AFAG (Underwater Research Society-Mediterranean Seal Research Group) where you saw us. They are also teaching us how to play this game.
There'll be less fish for us too. So, while you are on vacation, we'll be busy hiding and hunting. But don't misunderstand me--we don't hide from you because we don't like you. But, sadly, people have built roads over our homes, stolen our fish with trawling nets and even killed us.
How many people know that we are dying in the very seas where their children are swimming? My mother had to think very carefully before having me. She knew how dangerous the world would be. Just like human mothers, she worries about me. But she has a lot more to worry about since we aren't in control of our fate.
I have seen people thoughtlessly destroying the shores that are my home. I am powerless to stop it. And I don't know how to spread the world about what is happening. Sometimes, I stick my head out of the water and see mothers calling their playing children to lunch. I wish I could be so free and happy and protected. It is hard enough for my mother to find enough food to keep my alive. Why should she have to worry so much? There should be even more baby seals on these shores. So, this summer, spare a thought for me as you spend your holiday in my home.
Sleepyhead
