To the little girl picking up trash on the beach

In the sample UPU letter on the theme: "Imagine you are the ocean," the contestant embodies the ocean – telling stories about marine creatures harmed by plastic waste and calling for action to protect the environment.

Bài mẫu viết thư UPU lần thứ 54: Gửi cô bé nhặt rác trên bãi biển

Dear Mai - the little girl who used to pick up trash on the beach!

I am the ocean, home to millions of marine creatures, a place where people come to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. Yesterday, I saw you on the beach, your small hands picking up pieces of plastic trash washed ashore by the waves. I want to say that I am very grateful to you.

Did you know that over eight million tons of plastic waste end up in the ocean every year? Plastic bottles, plastic bags, straws – they don't just disappear; they drift everywhere, harming my inhabitants. Once, I witnessed a sea turtle accidentally swallow a plastic bag, mistaking it for a jellyfish. It writhed in agony, despair, and then succumbed to the water. I also once saw a whale washed ashore with dozens of pounds of plastic in its stomach. These plastic fragments not only kill them but also enter the food chain, directly impacting human health.

I used to be so proud of my crystal-clear blue waters, my colorful coral reefs, and the schools of fish swimming freely. But now, I am being engulfed by streams of plastic. From the Pacific to the Atlantic, from the American coast to small fishing villages in Vietnam, traces of plastic waste are everywhere. Did you know that it takes hundreds of years for a plastic bottle to completely decompose? Every second, thousands of new pieces of trash are swept into me, suffocating me more and more.

But Mai, you can't change everything alone. You can help me by sharing this story with your family and friends. Encourage them to use less plastic, bring reusable bags when shopping, and use reusable water bottles instead of plastic ones. Every time you go to the beach, leave only footprints in the sand, don't bring trash. Participate in beach cleanup campaigns and advocate for factories to reduce the amount of waste they release into the ocean. Your small actions can inspire millions of others. If everyone does a little, I will gradually be revived.

I hope that one day, when you return to the beach, you will find me in my best state: the water clear and blue, free of floating trash, and turtles and whales swimming freely. I believe that with your support and the help of those who care about me, the ocean will once again become a vibrant home.

Thank you for caring about me when so many others remain indifferent.

See you again on those pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters!

In 2025, the theme of the UPU International Letter Writing Competition will be: “Imagine you are the ocean. Write a letter to someone explaining why and how they should take good care of you.”