The River’s Plea!

The River’s Plea!

The Shkumbin River once flowed clear and strong, winding through fields and forests on its way to the sea. It cradled fish in its currents, cradled birds on its banks, and carried life wherever it went. But over time, the river began to suffer. Bottles, bags, and wrappers floated in its waters—left behind by careless hands.

Downstream, the waste traveled farther, suffocating the ocean’s creatures. One morning, the waves washed a turtle ashore, tangled in plastic. Its eyes were tired. Some children playing nearby gasped in horror at the sight.

“Where does all this plastic come from?” asked one child.

A breeze rustled the reeds, and the river seemed to sigh. “What you throw into me,” it whispered, “ends up in the sea. If you keep me clean, the ocean will thrive.”

The children listened, their eyes wide. That evening, they told their parents what they had seen and heard. Moved by the river’s quiet plea, families began to change. They picked up trash along the banks, used fewer plastic bags, and taught others to care.

Day by day, the Shkumbin grew clearer. Fish returned. Birds sang louder. And far away, the ocean began to heal.

Rivers lead to the sea—what we do upstream echoes far beyond. Let’s protect our waters and reduce plastic waste, for the sake of all life downstream.

Beyond Plastic Med - BeMed