Story of the Sea

VOLUME 7

World Book. Inc.

a Scott Fetzer company

Chicago London Sydney Toronto

Story of the Sea

Have you ever stood on a beach and looked out to sea? The water
stretches on and on until it appears to join the sky! It hardly seems
possible that anything could be so big! But the sea is big. There is
three times more water than there is land.

On a calm, sunny day, the sea seems bright and happy. On a cloudy, windy
day, it seems dark and restless. In a storm, it is angry and fierce. The
sea has many moods.

As you look out to sea, you may, if you’re lucky, spot the dark streak
of a whale’s back, or the fin of a shark. Most of the time, the sea
seems to be just a great, empty expanse of water. It’s hard to imagine
that it’s actually the home of billions of creatures.

You may see a ship. Perhaps it’s a fishing vessel setting out to make
its catch, for the sea is an important source of food. Or you may see a
merchant ship carrying a cargo from a faraway land. The sea has been a
“highway” for ships for thousands of years.

Perhaps, as you stare at the sea, you’ll think of some of the stories
you’ve heard: of sea monsters and mermaids, ghost ships and pirates, sea
battles and explorers. For the sea is a place of mystery and adventure.

The sea itself is a story. It is the story of discovery and commerce,
exploration and adventure. It is the story of strange animals and their
ways. It is the story of people who have challenged the sea, who have
made it their work and their way of life.

This book is the story of the sea.