Natural Science- Tidal Pools
There was always something rejuvenating for Terry Barnhurst being near the oceans near the school he attended. Only 16, the otter would often study on his own time, the many varieties of life that would inhabit the tidal pools. This otter was completely devoted, even at a young age to natural science, the naturalistic study of the universe which fell under the jurisdiction of certain rules which could not be broken. Finding out these rules and their applications to life was the goal of those studying real science and trying to better life for all the species who lived in this society was under the domain of applied science. When the otter was older and his brain had matured enough to the point where he could grasp the finer points of life, he would be a great scientist, perhaps being the one who would expand the otter's life expectancy beyond the age of 60, as old age affected the otter at the age of 50, greatly diminishing both the duration and quality of life. But for now all he could was be amazed at the life growing in the tidal pools.
Sea stars and anenomes, crabs and shrimp, archaebacteria and eubacteria all called those tidal pools home- or at least they did, until the tide ran out back out to the sea. They had no idea that other members of the same species would soon return to the exact same tidal pool when the tide flowed once again. Terry Barnhurst and his classmates were sent by their teacher to observe and investigate these tidal pools right as the ebbing tide had flowed back into the ocean, exposing the denizens of the tidal pools to the elements. Many of them were dying off but some were still clinging to life- it would be those lifeforms that Terry and his classmates would be studying, as well as collecting samples of water for further examination under the microscope, followed by another trip outside to the beach a few hours later to observe the pools once more. By that time, of course, the tide would have switched in response to lunar gravitation- water would flow in from the sea, concealing underwater caves aand filling up these pools with water and the life forms that depended upon it.
When the otter stepped out onto the beach with its many dried-out depressions, he knew they would soon fill with water and life would return at least for a few hours anyway. But for now they were almost empty, with just a little water and a few creatures desperately clinging to life as they dried out and hoped for the tide to return. With his partners,a fox and a she-wolf, Terry collected whatever little water he could find in a Dixie cup and wrote the group's observations about the nature of life they found clinging to the drained pools. Each of the students knew full well when the tidal pools refilled there would be more observable species to be recorded and seen.
"So what exactly makes you like science class so much?" the she-wolf asked Terry, as he filled the cup with water and wrote observations.
"The fact of the matter is this, Heather. When we learn about science we may learn the nature of the universe and then hope to better our own lives as a result. It only makes sense that we as living creatures learn the nature of life and that means studying the sciences, such as anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry et cetera" was the otter's answer, which revealed a proclivity towards academia and research, which many of the students agreed would be Terry's inheritance later in life.
"You're such a nerd. Can't you just accept the fact that the wolf will always outlive the otter as will many other species? And can't I just a simple response, not a sermon?" That was a typical immature response from someone who would never know how science served to benefit those who would study it. Terry's research, which he would undertake when he entered maturity in the field of medicine would serve society well.
Unfazed by the ignorancwe of his partner, Terry continued "When we went out on to this beach and saw the tidal pools, it was like exploring a new galazy with each of these" he said, pointing towards the pools "being its own planet. And each of these planets is a microcosm of life at the higher level."
"Please explain", the fox who was the third member of the group spoke up, demanding an answer.
"At high tide, there would be numerous creatures swimming about, all different and unique in their own way. Just like we are. When we look at these samples of water in the lab, it will become more obvious."
Soon, the class had compiled the water samples and was viewing them through the school's microscopes and they were amazed at what they saw, especially Terry. He had been told of microscopic lifeforms but had never actually seen them before. Each of the cups of water when placed under the lens revealed an entire microcosm of life, with thousands upon thousands of micro-organisms, moving about on the stage, consuming each other, and living albeit now in the very confined space of the slide.
"Now do you understand what I was saying about the tidal pools being planets? Each of these creatures, just living the same way they would in the ocean, just like we are in our own world. Taking a closer look, we see these creatures for what they truly are, a reflection of our own lives"
"And what exactly is THAT supposed to mean?" Heather the she-wolf responded, her tail wagging the way it would when she became upset.
"It means... it means that we have been living in our pools for so long that we have forgotten about the sea."