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The Bedtime Story
Saharah and Zyons world adventure
It was a cosy evening in Saharah and Zyon's home. Their father tucked them into bed and opened a big, colorful book. "Tonight, let's talk about the amazing places around the world," he said with a smile. Saharah and Zyon listened closely as their father talked about pyramids in Egypt, mountains in Zimbabwe, and beautiful islands in Fiji. Their eyes grew heavy, and soon, they drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the magical places they had just heard about.
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In their dream, Saharah and Zyon found themselves standing in the middle of a vast desert. In front of them were the enormous pyramids of Egypt, standing tall and ancient. "Look, Saharah! The Great Pyramid of Giza!" Zyon exclaimed. They climbed a few steps of the pyramid and marveled at its size. As they explored, they noticed strange symbols carved into the stone walls. "These are hieroglyphics," Saharah said, tracing the carvings with her finger. "It's how the ancient Egyptians used to write—pictures and symbols instead of letters." Zyon nodded, fascinated. "Imagine if we could read their stories!" he said. Nearby, they tasted some sweet, sticky baklava, enjoying the flavors of Egypt. "Did you know," added Saharah, "that the Great Pyramid is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one still standing?"
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The next thing they knew, Saharah and Zyon were standing by a roaring waterfall in Zimbabwe. "This is Victoria Falls!" shouted Saharah, her voice barely heard over the thunderous water. Zyon looked up at the massive cascade and said, "Did you know this waterfall was originally called Mosi-oa-Tunya? It means 'The Smoke That Thunders.'" Saharah nodded, impressed. "It was renamed Victoria Falls in 1855," she added, as they felt the mist on their faces and laughed as a rainbow appeared above them. After the excitement, they tried sadza, a local dish made of maize, which was warm and comforting. "Zimbabwe is also known for its rich wildlife, including the Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffaloes," Zyon shared.
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Suddenly, they were in Djibouti, standing by the shores of the super-salty Lake Assal. "Look at how white the ground is!" Zyon said, amazed at the salt-covered earth. They dipped their toes in the water and felt themselves floating easily because of the salty water. Afterward, they sat down to enjoy a meal of spiced lamb stew, a dish full of flavor and warmth. "Djibouti is one of the hottest and driest countries in the world," Saharah mentioned. "Lake Assal is also the lowest point in Africa, and one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth!"
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Next, Saharah and Zyon found themselves surrounded by lush, green forests in Dominica. "This island is so green and full of life!" Saharah said as they hiked through the rainforest. They discovered bubbling hot springs and swam in a cool waterfall. When they got hungry, they tasted a juicy piece of roasted plantain, enjoying the sweet and savory treat. "Did you know," Zyon said, "Dominica is known as the 'Nature Island' because of its unspoiled natural beauty and incredible biodiversity?"
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In a flash, they were in Haiti, climbing a steep mountain trail. "Haiti is known for its beautiful mountains," Zyon said, huffing a little as they reached the top. From there, they could see the blue Caribbean Sea stretching out below them. They shared a dish of griot, a delicious fried pork dish, savoring the rich, spicy flavors. "Haiti was the first independent nation in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the first post-colonial independent black-led nation in the world," Saharah added.
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Saharah and Zyon were now in Portugal, standing by the sea. "This is where great explorers like Vasco da Gama once sailed from," Saharah told Zyon as they walked along the ancient streets of Lisbon. They visited a bakery and tasted pastel de nata, a sweet custard tart, which melted in their mouths. "Portugal was a powerful seafaring nation during the Age of Discovery," Zyon said. "They discovered many new lands and established the first global empire."
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Suddenly, they were in Thailand, surrounded by golden temples and the scent of delicious food. "Thailand is called the Land of Smiles," Zyon said, grinning widely as they visited a beautiful temple. They sat down at a street stall and tried pad thai, a dish of noodles mixed with vegetables and peanuts. The flavors were exciting and new. "Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country that was never colonized by a European power," Saharah pointed out.
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