The sun dipped low over the coastline, casting long shadows on the sand. A warm breeze carried the scent of salt and seaweed as waves lapped gently against the shore.
It was supposed to be just a short break after school—a beach outing to unwind before exams. Aria, Cheonwoong, Yuseong, and Chan had made their way to the coast, snacks and drinks in hand.
Yuseong had even invited someone new—Suzy, his classmate from the vet club.She was quiet but friendly, with a calm demeanor that made even Chan nod in respect.
"This is the best kind of study break," Yuseong declared, stretching his arms toward the sea. "Sun, sand, and zero stress!"
But that peace didn't last long.
"Hey, what's that?" Aria pointed toward the rocks.
Half-buried near the high tide line, something moved—slowly, weakly.
Cheonwoong was already walking over before anyone else reacted."It's a turtle," he said, crouching beside it. "Looks young."
Suzy hurried over, her eyes narrowing in concern. "A green sea turtle," she identified. "It must've gotten stranded after the tide went out."
"It doesn't look good…" Aria murmured, kneeling next to Cheonwoong.
"It's exhausted," Suzy said, already checking its flippers and shell. "But there's no visible injuries. It just needs rest and hydration."
"Then we're helping it," Chan said simply.
They sprang into action.
Yuseong ran back to grab his towel and a plastic container from his backpack. Aria gently brushed sand from the turtle's shell, whispering calming words as if the creature could understand.
Cheonwoong stayed close, quietly observing but ready to assist whenever needed.He fetched fresh seawater with Chan, careful not to startle the turtle as they poured it around its flippers.
"I didn't think today would turn into animal rescue," Chan said, shaking his head—but there was a small smile tugging at his lips.
Suzy guided them with steady hands, placing the turtle under shade and checking its breathing. "We'll keep it cool and let it regain strength. When the tide comes in, we can return it to the sea."
Time passed slowly but peacefully. The group sat nearby, watching the waves rise.
Aria spoke softly, still near the turtle."I wonder how far it swam to end up here alone."
"Far," Suzy replied. "They travel thousands of miles. Most of them never make it back."
Cheonwoong's voice was quiet but sure. "Then it's a miracle we found this one."
When the tide finally crept close enough, the turtle stirred again, lifting its head.
"It's time," Suzy said with a nod.
Together, they carried the small creature to the water's edge. Aria knelt in the shallows, setting it gently into the surf.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then the turtle paddled forward, slowly but surely, disappearing beneath a cresting wave.
They all stood in silence, watching the spot where it vanished.
"Think it'll be okay?" Yuseong asked.
"It'll be more than okay," Suzy said with a proud smile. "It has a second chance now."
Cheonwoong looked toward Aria, who met his eyes and smiled softly.
"Saving something that small... it makes the world feel a little bigger," she said.
"Or a little more hopeful," Cheonwoong added.
As the last light faded and stars began to blink overhead, the group turned to head home—sand in their shoes, salt on their skin, and a memory in their hearts.
A small act of kindness.A life returned to the sea.And a reminder that even the smallest creatures deserve to find their way back home.
May 23rd is "World Turtle Day" to raise awareness about turtles protection and their biological significance in addition to all sea creatures.