BEACH OPERA

OVIYA PARI

SEEDS PUBLICATIONS
First published in 2019 by Seeds Publica ons, Australia
seedspublica ons@gmail.com

Copyright © Oviya Pari, 2019

All rights reserved

The moral right of the author has been asserted

Printed by
Friends Printers
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Tamilnadu, India
I'm Oviya Pari born on the 29 November 2007 in Mona Vale
Hospital. I'm a 12-year-old girl. My dad is Pari Pandarinathan and
my mum is Aparna Pari. I have an elder brother, Pralayan Pari. I'm
currently a year 6 student in Beresford Road Public School.

I grew up in Dee Why, the beach being my backyard. Dee Why

always brings fond memories to me.

I would like to thank my family, teachers, and friends for

suppor ng and encouraging me to con nue wri ng. Without you,
this book would not be possible.

Thank you, Mrs. Stephens, who has been my teacher in primary

school and who has always encouraged and inspired me to
con nue wri ng.

I would like to thank Beresford Road Public School for introducing

my book.
To all the surf life savers
of Australia
and around the world
The mild cool air spread inside the car as it cruised along Pi water
road, spreading joy. It was the school holidays! Six glorious weeks
of freedom before I headed into Year 7. Aiden was wai ng for his
first day in Kindergarten as well. I glanced at the window beside
me.
There was a large rock on the side of the road. The words ‘Dee
Why’, and an elegant swan was engraved into the rock. I
remember my grandma telling me why the swan is the symbol of
Dee Why. “The black swan symbolizes Dee Why as in the early
1900s, swans populated the Dee Why Lagoon,” she said, “but
now, swans aren’t as common as it used to be, when you go to the
lagoon it’s rare that you would see one, so the symbol acts as a
remembrance of the past.”
The car ventured on, con nuing down Pi water Road. Cyclists
were swarming down the cycle path on our le . We turned onto
Dee Why Parade. We could see a large playground, bustling with
laughs and smiles.

Oviya Pari 7
8 Beach Opera
We arrived at the car park, already jammed with cars. I pushed
the door open and stepped outside.

The cold breeze swept across my face, brushing past my cheeks

that gradually turned into a pink lady apple. My brune e hair
floated in the wind. It felt pleasant to not always have the sun
constantly glaring at you, and have a cool breeze float by. The
scent of wet sand and the vast ocean a racted us closer and
closer to the beach.

As mum li ed the boot open to grab the neon buckets and spades
as well as a blanket, my dad grabbed the parking cket. My
brother, Aiden, o en tries to wander off elsewhere, so I had to
make sure he didn’t move.

We walked out of the car park. I could see a bike stand with an
arch like shape where bikes can be securely stacked next to each
other. Right next to it was a bike repair stand with tool kits as well.
It was something I’ve never seen, but it was a though ul thing to
add.

Oviya Pari 9
We stepped onto a pathway and saw vibrant splashes of yellow.
Happy vibrant zinnia like flowers was planted in a flower bed.

I remembered a poem that I read.

Colourful flowers,

Blooming in the eyes,

S rring fragrance in the air,

Spring is here.

10 Beach Opera
Oviya Pari 11
Behind it was a life-saving booth, surrounded by beau ful rose
champions. The life-saving booth had a lifesaver, looking through
a glass pane, making sure everyone was safe. How many hours
had he been working?
We skipped down the steps. There was a led area which had
beau ful and detailed drawings with very intricate pa erns.
Behind the led area was an honour roll made from stone.
We stepped onto a wooden deck, perched on metal poles. There
were also stainless-steel railings gli ering in the sun, I walked up
to lean against it, however, it nearly burnt my arm off. On the side,
across the railings were beau ful artworks on the wall. They were
detailed and intricate. Pain ngs of the beach, people, sharks, and
whales were framed.
In the corner was a small coffee shop. People were si ng at a
table, talking to each other. My grandma would enjoy si ng
down on the rocks near the edge while drinking some coffee.

12 Beach Opera
Oviya Pari 13
We strolled along the cemented path way and reached the pool. A
chao c sight met my eyes. Children running around aimlessly as
parents were exhausted. Kids screaming and laughing. What's so
chao c about having a nice day at the beach? Families giggling in
the pool while playing li le games, people with funny looking
floa es as well.
I dipped my toe on the water and fell in, along with my brother.
The overwhelming smell of chlorine stuck in my nostrils.
The boiling sun on my skin, yet the coolness of the water felt so
good. A er a while, I felt like I was the water. I felt as if I was in my
own bubble, almost like I was doing medita on. I blocked out the
sounds of yelling and screaming. A er a long me of swimming,
my brother and I emerged from the pool, si ng next to it while
freezing to death. My fingers were pruned, my eyes a slight nt of
red. Mum scurried to get towels for us.
There were showers and taps outside the changing room where I
swi ly washed the sand off my feet. I dried myself and got
changed.

14 Beach Opera
Oviya Pari 15
I stared at the sea crashing onto the rocks, the sound put me at
ease. The waves are con nuously shaping the shapeless rocks.
How many years did it take? I felt like the rocks were an unfinished
portrait. When will the artwork be completed?

The waves were scribbling onto the rocks, just like my brother,
scribbling on the walls. He had a cheeky grin stretching from one
cheek to another. It looked like the waves were trying to wash
their scribbles, so they don’t get no ced.

Suddenly, my brother was trying to wander off near the rocks.

“Aiden! Don’t go anywhere! You’ll trip over!” I yelled. Green algae
was smothered along the surface. If Aiden stepped onto it, he
would slip and fall. I had to grab his arm and keep an eye on him.
He had the same cheeky grin.

We climbed up the staircase and found a lady, she was staring at

us through a paper. It was a biography. Words glaring at me, her
name was Isa Wye. They named the rockpool we just swam in
a er her, the name was in recogni on of her contribu ons to the
community and she helped the Dee Why Ladies’ Amateur Swim
Club for 85 years! I aspire to inspire people like her one day. I
believe I can become a role model for others!

16 Beach Opera
Oviya Pari 17
As we were climbing up the steps, my dad pointed out that there
was a parking bay for the ambulance. “Such a nice thing to add,”
he said, “they put it in a place that wouldn’t disrupt the traffic.”

We con nued up the steps to see benches in rows. They had small
plaques with names engraved in them. People were leaning
against a railing close to the benches. They were staring at the
ocean. What are they thinking? I wondered.

There was another playground, only this me it was much

smaller. It was jammed with children having lots of fun, while
parents could sit back and relax. The playground was surrounded
by a white fence. In front of it, there was a sign with ‘Michaela
Howie Playground.’

18 Beach Opera
Oviya Pari 19
I swung the gates open while Aiden ran off to the swing set, he
grabbed the chain and con nuously pulled it, causing a lot of
noise, I rushed forward and picked him up. He had the same
toothy grin. Children slid down the slides as others were climbing
up the ny staircases. Near the playground was a family having a
barbecue. The smell of the barbecue lingered in my nose. Drool
was building up in my mouth. I turned my head to see a boat-
shaped ping pong table, with vibrant splashes of colour.
Near the playground was a stainless-steel sculpture of what
appeared to be sur oards.

20 Beach Opera
Oviya Pari 21
There were massive pine trees in well-disciplined rows, they were
towering over the beach, it seemed almost as if it could reach the
sky. The beauty of the beach, as well as the pine trees, worked
cohesively. It reminded me of the story, Jack and the beanstalk. I
wonder if anyone climbed the trees and managed to see a giant,
or in this case, a lifesaver, making sure everyone was safe. It also
reminded me of a lighthouse.
Across from the pine trees were buildings and shops. “I’m
hungry,” Aiden mumbled, “Yeah, me too, can we go to the fish and
chips shop to eat?” I added. My mum nodded. As we were
crossing the road, dad held Aiden’s hand. You never know what he
would be up to.

22 Beach Opera
Oviya Pari 23
We went inside and sat at the table, we waited for mum to finish
ordering. My brother tried to wander off, so I had to grab him by
the arm and make sure he sat down. I stared at the images on the
wall. The food was served at our table. I dug into the fish using the
plas c knife. My teeth sank into the fish and chips. It was the best
thing I’ve ever eaten! Aiden was playing with the lemon,
squeezing it onto his hand. At least it wasn’t his eye. Mum
squeezed tartar sauce along the fish. We ate and headed back to
the beach.
People were si ng down on the grass that were surrounding the
trees. Some were having picnics, some walking their dogs on the
pavement, while others were riding their bicycles or ska ng.
We went back down to the sand. Pigeons were frolicking near the
gri y, mucky seaweed that draped along the surface. The trail of
the seaweed looked like a bitumen road on the beach sand. There
were a few green leafy blobs sca ered across the surface.

24 Beach Opera
Oviya Pari 25
26 Beach Opera
We started walking along the shore. I no ced an informa on
board with details on the SMART Drumline Trial program. The
program was a shark alert to help prevent shark a acks.
Near the shore were two red and yellow striped flags flowing in
the wind. There were signs on them saying, SWIM BETWEEN
THE FLAGS.
There were lifesavers standing near the flag, watching the
swimmers. They had yellow shirts, red shorts. They wore a swim
cap with one-half coloured red, and the other half yellow. I
no ced a few other lifesavers, si ng on the SLSC (Surf Life Saving
Club) building. They were watching a en vely, with a pair of
binoculars. They had eyes everywhere. We con nued to walk on
the beach.
There was a buggy patrol, circling around the area, alert and
ready. They returned to the surfers building. There was another
buggy already parked inside, and there were many sur oards
stacked neatly in a row.

Oviya Pari 27
28 Beach Opera
There was a wooden pathway. It consisted of thick wooden logs. A
group of surfers came dar ng in. They were wearing black wet
suits with blue accents. I remember one of my teachers telling me
about how wetsuits help you keep warm in cold water, and how it
absorbs the impact of the waves when you fall over. The power of
SCIENCE.
They held their sur oard under their arm. Before they ran into
the water, they a ached a leash from the sur oard to their legs.
As they ran into the ocean, they laid down on their belly before
standing up, maneuvering around, trying to catch the perfect
wave. A wave that swirled around, that had the perfect curl,
towering over the surfer. Surfing was always an adventurous
sport, these waves were unpredictable, we don’t know what will
happen, it’s like life, we don’t know what it takes on.

Oviya Pari 29
30 Beach Opera
I want to surf. I want to surf because of my grandma, to make her
proud! I aspire to be just like her.
The waves crashed upon the shore. The ocean seemed so calm
and serene, but was so mysterious, almost as if it was holding
onto important secrets. Seagulls were soaring through the sky,
trying to track down food. The gentle texture of the sand was
covered with the mucky seaweed sca ered across the surface.
I walked close to the shore and let my feet sink in the sand, as soon
as I li ed my feet, it le an impression of it. The waves stole my
footprint. As the waves gently kissed my feet, I could see the sea
foam, it reminded me of the soap bubbles in the washing
machine.
I saw small shells sca ered on the surface. I scooped a handful of
them. I’m sure my friends would like them!

Oviya Pari 31
32 Beach Opera
A giant wave hurdled towards us, I picked up Aiden and ran as fast
as my legs could carry me. The wave thundered onto the sand.
“Wow! Mum, look at the waves!” I pointed. “How are they
formed?” I asked. “Waves are formed because of the powerful
force of the wind on the water surface,” she began, “ des are
formed because of the gravita onal forces between the Earth,
the sun and the Moon.”
On our le we could see a lagoon. It reminded me of my grandma.
She used to go to Dee Why Lagoon to see the beau ful black
swans there.
Whenever we get the chance to, my grandma and I always like to
go to the beach, where she tells me stories about the beach, like
crazy incidents that happened when she was learning how to surf,
or funny stories when her and her friends were playing in the
water.
Dee Why has always had a special place in my heart, and it always
will. O en, my memories are like the waves, it comes, and it goes
constantly, but my memories of Dee Why s ck to me like a
magnet.
"Look at the sky Chloe!” Mum said. I looked up. “Do you know why
the sky is blue?” She asked. I shook my head. “The sky is blue

Oviya Pari 33
because blue light has a shorter wave length compared to other
colours such as red, orange, yellow, these colours have a longer
wavelength. Light with longer wavelengths are absorbed
however shorter wavelengths are sca ered. That’s why the sky is
blue.” She responded.
“What’s a wavelength?” I asked. “A wavelength is the distance
between two peaks or two dips of a wave.” She replied. Mum
would always like to explain the science behind things, I guess
that’s why I’m a genius! With the power of SCIENCE!

34 Beach Opera
We traveled up the steep way to reach the long reef headlands.
We reached the peak. I felt like an empowered ruler, towering
over my kingdom. To my le was a golf course, it was a vast area of
green, surrounded by the ocean.
From the peak I looked up at the horizon. The cold breeze brushed
past me. I wonder.
How the breeze can chill us
without leaving any impressions!
I could see neighboring suburbs. The view was breathtaking.
What a loooooooooooooooong stretch of beach. We could see
people hang gliding, they looked like elegant birds. I thought they
would be flying their way to the Harbour Bridge. It would be nice if
they added a light house, like Byron Bay’s.

Oviya Pari 35
Standing at the peak I gazed at the fluffy clouds. Was this the
reflec on of the sea foam in the sky? I looked down and I saw the
sea foam, oh! was this the reflec on of the fluffy clouds in the
sea?
As I looked far off into the vast ocean, it was blue, blue, blue. As
the waves swelled up, I could see streaks of white, like lightning in
the ocean.
The waves were bellowing in my ears as it crashed the rocks. It
sounded like a thunder bolt.
What an electrifying moment. Nature showcasing an endless
opera at its peak. BEACH OPERA.

36 Beach Opera
We started walking down. I was carried away in the breath-taking
moments. I walked down with my eyes fixed on the beau ful
views.

As we reached down the beach Aiden and I wanted to play in the

beach sand. Dad grabbed the blanket and placed it over the sand.
“I’ll go get ice cream,” dad said, heading towards the ice cream
truck. “Okay,” mum responded, “Chloe, make sure to take care of
Aiden! I’m just going to relax for a bit” I nodded. “Can we build a
sandcastle?” Aiden looked at me. “Sure!”

He handed me another bucket. “I’ll shovel sand into the bucket,

can you collect the shells?” He began to scoop sand into the
bucket using the ny spade, I scooped a handful of shells and
placed them in the corner of our blanket. My brother pped over
the bucket of sand. He pa ed the top and then li ed the bucket
up. He grabbed a few shells and sprinkled them on top. The
sandcastle was very fragile and would break if we weren’t careful.

I turned my head around to grab more shells. “HEY!” Aiden cried. I

turned around, the small part of our castle was in ruins, next to it
was a small beach ball, slowly rolling away. A group of kids came
running up to us. “Sorry! We didn’t mean to ruin your castle…” A

Oviya Pari 37
small girl said. I gave the ball back and gave her a smile, “It’s okay,”
I replied. “Please don’t do it again!” My brother added.

My brother began to scoop up the sand and poured it into the

bucket again. He pped over the bucket and li ed it up again, only
this me, the waves ruined it, by stealing the castle.

Aiden sighed. “This isn’t fair!” he pouted. “Can you make the
castle?” He asked. I nodded and got to work. I made two small
sand pillars. I poked two shells in each. I poked my finger into the
surface and dragged my finger around the castle. “Done!” the
sound echoed around. I looked up. Aiden was heading towards a
group of people, the same group of people who accidentally
destroyed our sandcastle. I stood up and ran towards him, I
grabbed his hand.

“Aiden! Where are you going?” I asked. He looked at the group of

people. “I want to play with them!” I sighed and carried him back.
“Why can’t I play with them?” He asked. “We don’t know them,
and mum wants you to stay with us,” I replied. “But I’m bored!” He
pouted.

I set him down. “Look, a frisbee!” he picked it up, “Let’s play!” He

smiled. “We can’t play with it, it’s not ours!” “But no one is using

38 Beach Opera
it! Please?” He glared at me with his beady eyes, beady eyes you
can’t say no to. “Fine,” I sighed.

He threw the frisbee, it landed near a strand of seaweed. I walked

and picked up the frisbee, but before I could look, I heard a shriek.

“AIDEN!” Mum shrieked.

“MUM!” Aiden yelled.

Oviya Pari 39
40 Beach Opera
I turned around. I was paralyzed with fear. Goosebumps shot up
my arm. My brother was caught in a deadly Rip de, far away from
the swim zone. My vision became blurry as tears began to swell
my eyes, my heart felt like it was ripping out of my chest, sweat
running down my forehead. I felt like I was going to pass out. My
dad ran down with his hands full of ice cream. The ice cream
cones plummeted to the ground. His hands were trembling and
sweaty. I hugged him ghtly. “He’s going to be okay,” he assured.
As my dad was running up to contact a lifesaver, a whole group of
them came bol ng down. I could see a surge of lifesavers
powering their way through the water, one with what looked like
a sur oard, there were about 6-7 lifesavers trying to help him in
the water. I gripped my dad's hand. A lifesaver was close to the
scene, he seemed to be talking to someone. My mum had turned
into stone. Frozen.
The rip des were strong. Too strong. The waves pummeled my
brother. “AIDEN!” I cried. My dad wrapped his arms around me. A
whole group of people gathered around, staring at the sea.
A lifeguard bolted into the scene, pushing past the crowd. He set
up something called a defibrillator, in case someone needed to be
shocked back to life. The lifeguards in the water began to swim
parallel to the current. They managed to swi ly grab Aiden,
Oviya Pari 41
before a wave brought them back to the shore. They cleared way
for him.
One of the lifesavers tried pu ng a ven la on tube in his mouth,
however, his jaw was locked, and wouldn’t budge. My eyes
became a waterfall. I couldn’t bare seeing Aiden in such a life-
threatening posi on.
I may fight with my brother a lot. We fight. We argue. We get
irritated. But we laugh. I need him. I can’t imagine a world without
him. I remember how much fun we had last weekend. We made
pillow forts and drew on each other’s faces. What would I do
now? I would have no company. I would have no brother.
One of the lifeguards placed the heel of their hand on the center
of his chest. He placed the other hand on top and interlocked
fingers. He began pressing down using his body weight, he
pressed rapidly.
Aiden coughed back to life. The lifeguard held his chin and
forehead, to make sure all the water was emp ed. Aiden opened
his eyes in confusion, and out of fear, he jumped and hugged the
lifeguard. My mum grabbed a warm towel and wrapped him
around, hugging him ghtly.
“Thanks” my dad quivered and shook hands with the lifeguard

42 Beach Opera
before hugging Aiden. I kneeled to my brother. I stared at his eyes.
My brother was saved. A nurse came and knelt next to Aiden. “Are
you feeling okay?” She asked. Aiden nodded his head. She
monitored his health and gave a thumbs up to my parents. “He’s
completely fine!” Before heading back.
Everybody sighed in relief before applauding. Dad hugged the
lifesaver, a tear rolled down his cheek.
“Well done mate!” One of the lifeguards pa ed him on the back.
The crowd began to gather around the two lifeguards. “Only a few
days ago he rescued three people at once!” The crowd erupted in
applause once again.
I looked at him in admira on, he’s our hero. There are thousands
of lifesavers around the beaches. They choose to do this for
passion, they don’t do it for fame or for a fancy tle, but they do it
for passion, to save people. They may not be a superhero with a
cape, flying in the sky, but they’re a superhero with a swim cap,
figh ng in the sea.
We walked back to the carpark, dad carried Aiden and tucked him
into his seat. He was asleep, res ng on my shoulder. “Chloe,” dad
said, turning around to look at me. “See the ocean in the mirror,”

Oviya Pari 43
he said, “how does such a small rear-view mirror capture the
endless ocean?” The engine revved and the car started, the car
drove away.
I turned to the window. The waves were con nuously and
relessly crashing on the shore, they never stop. What is it
searching for?
“The sea has been here for ages; won’t we want to live like it for
ages?” Dad said, “but why did it try to take my son away from us?”
Dad rambled on, “I feel like a ny drop in front of the vast ocean.
When I fall as a ny drop into the ocean I merge with the ocean as
one. Once merged I’m unable to find the ny drop. I can realize
the essence of the universe in the ny drop.”
I looked at the mirror in the front. I could see a ny teardrop in my
dad's eyes glistening in the sun. Was this the tear drop he was
talking about? I’ve never seen my dad in this philosophical state of
mind.

44 Beach Opera
As we cruised along the road, silence and cool air filled the car. I
stared at my brother, s ll res ng his head against my shoulder. I
smiled with a sigh of relief. I turned and looked back at the
window. The mist clouded the window, it was foggy. I pressed my
finger against the window. The coolness overwhelmed my finger. I
dragged my finger along the surface and wrote, Dee Why, with a
small heart.

Oviya Pari 45