A tale of two seahorses

Feeling moved by the kindness shown by Plett residents after more than 1 000 seahorses washed ashore, Dr Ahmed Adam, medical doctor from Pretoria penned the following short story:

It is the year 102023. On the Plettenberg Bay coast in South Africa, archaeologists have made an exciting discovery of two seahorses with their tails intertwined. These amazing fossils sparked an intensive research by University students which yielded the following intriguing tale:

In the summer of 2023, 100 000 years ago, the Western Cape experienced a massive storm and heavy flooding which was unusual, even for the Cape of Storms. Deep in the coral reef, Romeo had his tail firmly gripped around a blade of grass. He gently gave reassurance to his first love and childhood sweetheart, Juliet. He reminded her that they have been through worse and they would get through this.

Juliet, with the remarkable sixth sense instinct that is a distinctive gift of the female species, was not convinced. Deep in her gut, she knew that this was the mother of all storms. She gave Romeo a sweet smile as she gently looked down at his belly. She had deposited her eggs in his front pouch and they had lovingly met each other daily for the past two weeks and continued their mesmerising courtship dance and bonding rituals.

Delivery was imminent. They both attended the Lamaze classes and deep breathing exercises in preparation for childbirth with a multiple pregnancy (about 1 000 little fry). As they lovingly looked into each other's eyes, the reverie was suddenly broken by a huge deep subsurface wave which enveloped them and tossed them out onto the beach.

Romeo lay on his back, dazed. He looked up at the dark ominous clouds and wondered if he was dead.

Is this the end? Will I finally meet my Creator? Did I live a good life? Was I a good son to my parents? Was I a good, caring and kind seahorse? Was I good to my neighbours?