by Ariel, age 8 from Koror, Palau, asks Santa about Christmas tree worms, Palau’s coral reefs, and its pioneering shark sanctuary.
Dear Santa, my name is Ariel, and I am eight years old. I live in Koror, Palau, where my mesei says our lake is full of jellyfish that lost their sting a long, long time ago, so you can swim right alongside them.
Dear Ariel, a lake full of gentle, stingless jellyfish sounds like one of the most magical swimming spots on my entire Pacific route, your mesei described it perfectly.
Santa, I have three questions.
What is a Christmas tree worm? My teacher showed us a picture of one on the reef and it looked like a tiny colorful tree.
A Christmas tree worm is a real little sea creature, Ariel, with feathery, spiral-shaped tentacles that really do look like a tiny decorated Christmas tree growing right out of the coral. They come in every color imaginable, which makes your reef look like it is celebrating the season all year round.
My teacher says Palau is famous for having some of the clearest, most beautiful reefs in the whole world. Is that true?
It is true, Ariel, Palau’s waters are known for extraordinary clarity and colorful coral reefs, home to countless sea creatures, Christmas tree worms included. I always fly a slow, admiring pass over that turquoise water.
My mesei says Palau was the very first country to create a special protected area just for sharks. Is that true?
It is true, Ariel, Palau created the world’s first shark sanctuary, protecting sharks across its entire ocean territory. That kind of careful, forward-thinking caretaking of the ocean is exactly the sort of gift a whole country can give to the rest of the world.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Ariel Ngiraibiochel
Koror, Palau
P.S. Can you bring me a Christmas tree worm ornament for my actual tree?
I will see what the elves can craft, Ariel, though the real ones stay happiest right where they are.
