What do you know about swamps? The next picture shows what a swamp is like. However, "swamp" in the following sentence does not mean the place (which is) shown in the picture. I was caught in a swamp of sadness. The word "swamp" is also used in negative situation that is hard for us to get out of. That's because people often think of swamps in a negative way. They are considered as useless and unproductive land in which people can easily get lost and caught. Are swamps really useless? Let's go to a swamp and meet some friends who live there. They will tell us some interesting facts.

Hello. I'm Raccoon. This swamp has been my home over the past few years. It provides lots of delicious food. There are lots of fish (which are) living here. That's because they can find a safe  place to live and good food in the swamp. Fish lay eggs in the water and protect themselves easily thanks to the water plants. The swamp is also a wonderful resting place for birds. It is safe and there is lots of food.

I'm Water Plant. Water plants are everywhere in the swamp. Some people think (that) we are not doing anything here. But that is not true. We play a very important role. Have you ever heard about the self-cleaning role of swamps? We help to clean polluted water (which is) coming from neighboring places. This cleaning work is important for all living things. I'm proud of my role.

Hi. I'm Frog, I live in the swamp. A swamps is like a huge sponge. The soil in the swamp can hold a lot of water. In this way, the swamp prevents flooding during the rainy season and provides water in the dry season. So the swamp can be called a natural reservoir. This process gives a lot of benefits to animals like me that always beed water. If you want to see this natural reservoir, come visit me again. I'll show you around.

We have listened  to the stories of some friends who live in the swamp. Do you still think that swamps are useless? Maybe not. Swamps are helpful and precious places that protect all living creatures. Therefore, we need to keep them as they are.