10  Seixal: The Jurassic Beach

The path twisted downward through emerald cliffs, leading Mia and Little Bird into the quiet village of Seixal. Waterfalls spilled from the rocks above, sparkling as they tumbled into the sea. The mountains loomed tall and ancient.

“It feels like we’ve stepped back in time,” whispered Mia. “Like dinosaurs might still be hiding here.”

Little Bird nodded. “This place is wild and wonderful—just wait until you see the beach.”

When Mia reached the shore, her eyes widened. The sand was soft and black like velvet coal.

“Why is the sand this color?” she asked.

“It was formed from volcanic rock,” explained Little Bird. “Long ago, lava met the ocean and turned into black sand.”

Mia slipped off her shoes and ran along the shore, the warm sand tickling her toes. The waves whispered stories as they danced across the beach.

Feeling inspired, Mia and Little Bird gathered two sticks and began to draw in the sand. They created a great dinosaur with spiky plates and a long tail, a sea serpent rising from the waves, and even a blue whale spraying water high into the air.

Other visitors gathered to watch their artwork grow.

“It’s a Jurassic painting!” someone said.

But as the tide came in, the waves gently erased their creation, sweeping it away.

“Don’t be sad,” said Little Bird. “The sea is an artist too. It just added its own brushstroke.”

Mia smiled, watching the waves dance over the black sand. “Let’s draw again tomorrow. The beach will always be our canvas.”