The fierce wind howled over the docks. Kiko held tight to a glowing lantern, rushing to hang it on his wooden boat. A sudden gust snapped the thick mooring rope!
Rain lashed against his cheeks. A massive, foaming wave crashed right over the wooden pier. Splintered planks tumbled into the churning water, shattering to pieces.
The squid harvest was completely gone. Kiko stood on the wet wooden boards in total silence. He watched the broken, floating debris bob in the dark tides.
The morning sun revealed a shoreline covered in mess. Kiko dragged a heavy, waterlogged plank up the sandy beach. He dropped it with a loud thud and stared down at his muddy toes.
A shadow fell across the sand. His neighbor handed him a long, green mangrove pod. "We rebuild," the fisherman said, pointing to the empty shoreline where the waves still chopped.
Kiko waded right into the salty shallows. He pushed the sharp end of the pod deep into the squelching mud. All around the bay, villagers planted their own green shoots.
They hoisted a shiny brass storm-warning bell high into the air. Kiko tied the thick rope around a tall wooden pole. The metal gleamed brightly under the hot sun.
Over the next few weeks, the village built new boats. Kiko tied his freshly painted hull safely behind the growing line of protective saplings. The green leaves swayed in the warm breeze.
Dark, heavy clouds rolled in without warning. A sudden gust of wind whipped Kiko's hair across his face. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! rang the new brass bell.
A tiny, startled crab scurried right over Kiko's sandals! Hand in hand with his neighbor, he braced for the crashing waves. But the sturdy mangrove roots broke the rough water, keeping the new boats perfectly still. They all cheered!
Hours later, the raging sky cleared to reveal a sea of bright stars. The quiet water lapped gently against the painted wood. Kiko lit a fresh lantern and hung it safely on the mast.
He paddled out alongside the other fishing boats. The villagers held their large nets ready in the cool, dark air. It was time for the nighttime squid harvest!