A Golden Evening

The sun begins to set. Golden light passes through the ficus leaves and the river becomes calm. The family sits together beside the water, watching insects fly above the river. A fish jumps — splash! — and the pups get excited and start playing again.

Mama gently calls them back. It is time to go home. The family walks back toward the ficus tree, and one by one the pups enter the den. Papa is last; he looks back toward the quiet river, and then he goes in too.

Inside, the five otters sleep together, the pups curled against Mama. Outside, the moon rises over the ficus tree, the river and the mangrove. Everything is peaceful.