Why the Ocean is Salty

Last year, Alan Howell shared a post called Encouraging the Why. In it he introduced us to “Pourqoui Tales.” Why so? He was kind enough to pass along some of these he made up for his small children. These might be fun to share with your youngest children and may spark some of your own Pourqoui tales. –Sam

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Why the Ocean is Salty

Long, long ago, before most people remember, there were two children, sisters actually, named Mara and Areia. And for a time they lived on opposite sides of the ocean.

Now way back then, the ocean was not salty. Oh, no! It was full of clean, fresh water. So, whenever they got thirsty swimming around in the glorious sun, one of them would dip her mouth into the sweet water and drink up.

On a certain day, Mara decided to take a picnic lunch across the sea to share with her sister. She stuffed her backpack full of their favorite foods. There was fried chicken, fresh pickles, French fries, cherry pie and pigs-in-a-blanket. She also put in bottles of lemonade and grape juice, cups, plates and a colorful picnic blanket.

Mara carried the backpack to the boat and set it carefully inside. Then she remembered – she’d forgotten the salt! She ran back to the kitchen and grabbed the salt shaker. Returning to the boat, Mara tried putting the salt in the backpack, but there was no room – the bag was just too full. So, she rested it gently on top.

Mara got in the boat and began to row. And as she rowed, the boat rocked from side to side. It rocked back and forth more and more, and swayed so much that eventually the salt shaker tumbled off the top of the pack falling down into the ocean.

And that’s why the ocean became salty.

Why the Ocean has Waves

Long, long ago, before most people remember, there were two children, sisters actually, named Mara and Areia. And for a time they lived on opposite sides of the ocean.

Now way back then, the ocean did not have waves. Oh, no! It was flat and reflective like a gigantic mirror.

One day, Mara decided to send her sister a message. So, in her best handwriting she wrote it down on a piece of paper, rolled it up and stuffed it in a bottle. Mara closed it with a cork and then tossed that bottle as far as she could into the ocean. But, to her surprise the bottle stayed in that one spot, bobbing gently, but going nowhere.

So, Mara sat on the beach for a long time considering what to do. Then she had an idea – she found a long board and walked knee-deep into the ocean. She put the board in the water and began pushing the water forwards and backwards. Small ripples appeared and began moving across that giant mirror. All day she worked until little by little the waves she made pushed that bottle across the sea.

Exhausted, Mara sat down satisfied.

And that’s why the ocean has waves.

Why the Beach is full of Sand

Long, long ago, before most people remember, there were two children, sisters actually, named Mara and Areia. Every day these girls played together by the ocean, amusing themselves as they splashed in the water and frolicked on the beach.

Now way back then, the beach was not made of sand. Oh, no! It was made of sugar. So, each day at tea time they would simply scoop up some of the beach and stir it into their cups.

Usually, Mara and Areia played together happily, but one day neither of them seemed able to act sweet at all. I don’t know who started it, maybe somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed. But, whatever the reason the two of them were sour. They fussed and bickered and could not agree on anything.

Eventually, Mara got so frustrated that she crossed her arms, squished her face into a frown and plopped down into the ocean. And at the same time, Areia crossed her arms, squished her face into a frown and plopped down on the beach.

And in that moment, all the sweetness was sucked out of the beach… turning all that sugar into sand.

And that’s why the beach is full of sand.

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Featured Image by Paul Boekell