Before the giant waves slammed into the coast of India and Sri Lanka, the animals seemed to know what was about to happen. They fled to safety. Elephants screamed and ran to higher grounds, dogs refused to go outdoors. Flamingoes abandoned their low-lying breeding areas and zoo-animals rushed into their shelters.
Tilly had learnt in geography lesson about Tsunami. She saw the sea rise slowly and start forming bubbles and whirlpools. She remembered the video she had seen in school. She got hysterical and took her parents and sister away from the beach to the third floor of the hotel.
Alma’s grandfather was hit by something on the head and he fell down. Alma’s father rushed to save him and both were swept away by a giant wave.
Tilly’s geography lesson taken just two weeks before the Tsunami helped her to understand that Tsunami was coming.
Animals have a sixth sense which alarms them about a natural calamity about to occur. They behave strangely, run to a safer place and do not come out.
When Alma’s father realised that Tsunami was going to hit the island, he woke everyone and tried to rush them to a safer place.
Tilly’s parents could have scolded her for over reacting. They could have also ignored her thinking of her as a young girl. Had I been in their place, I too would have moved away quickly like them.
Tilly should share her award with her geography teacher as he was the one who gave her the knowledge about Tsunami in a lesson. That information saved her family’s and her life.
Both Meghna and Almas’s stories are similar as both were young and lost their families in Tsunami. Both fought for their lives and managed to survive. Meghna kept on holding on to a wooden door while Almas held on to a log.