Hello Children,

Something worries our hero, Droplet. He thinks there is a secret about the importance of water. Are you ready to go on an adventure to solve this mystery and understand the world's need for water?

Project partners who contributed to the book

1- Esra Koçak - page: 4-5

2- Loredana Pisuc - page: 6-7

3- Sonia Gomes - page: 8-9

4- Rosario Silva - page: 10-11

5- Gülen Alhan Çakır - page:12-13

6- Sibel Kılıçarslan - page: 14-15

7- Şükran Günkan - page: 16-17

8- Ayşe Kuzdere - page: 18-19

9- Deniz Taylan - page : 20-21

10- Nadia Massariello Tibello - page: 22-23

11- Clizia De Nadai - page: 24-25

12- Özgür Ercek - page: 26-27

13- Ruşen Ali Karaduman - page: 28-29

14- Larina Godza -  page: 30-31

15- Derya Ak - page: 32-33

16- Daniela Dogaru - page: 34-35

17- Liliana Musmeci - page: 36-37

18- Pantelis Defteraios - page: 38-39

19- Züleyha Kılıç - page: 40-41

20- Cloe Remila - page: 42-43

21-Biljana Belogaska - page: 44-45

22- Tomoiaga Anca Florina - page: 46-47

The Droplet and the Secret of Water

In the huge sky, there was a tiny droplet. His name was Droplet. As he traveled among the clouds, he suddenly found himself traveling to different parts of the world. He watered the soil, traveled in rivers and had adventures in the oceans.

One day, however, he realized that the water was becoming less and less clear. This worried Droplet. He thought there was a secret about the importance of water. Droplet set out on an adventure to solve this mystery and understand the world's need for water. This was the beginning of Droplet's great journey full of secrets...

When he arrived at his first stop, the Romanian Carpathian Mountains, he encountered a magical landscape. The clear waters flowing from the foothills of the mountains formed rushing rivers. These rivers were fed by underground springs and gave life to the heart of nature.

Droplet stood on the banks of a river and admired the natural beauty around him. Everything he saw made the value of water and the importance of its protection even more meaningful. But one thing caught his attention: some of the rivers had lost their clarity and the water had become murky.

This raised concern in Droplet. The state of Romania's natural water resources inspired Droplet to unlock the secret of water. Where should he stop next to continue his journey and understand the importance of water?

Ilustrated by Mogoș Eliza

Teacher : Pisuc Loredana

Droplet continued on its way and arrived in Portugal. There he found a country bathed by the sea, with large white sand beaches, high cliffs and lots of sun. So he decided to stop and rest for a while. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the warm sun that warmed and relaxed him. However, he was woken up by a plastic bottle that hit him hard.

Frightened, Droplet decided to take a closer look at what was going on and, much surprised, he realized that the sea water wasn't clean either. There was rubbish, rubbish of all kinds. There were plastic bags, cotton swabs, empty packaging, ropes and fishing wires.

Very sad, Droplet thought about what life would be like for the animals that live there, with so much trash, and realized that water is also important for sea animals.

Then Droplet continued his journey and arrived at…

 Ilustrated by: Martim

Teachers: Sónia Gomes 

Droplet, continued her journey, she began to feel very tired and slowly her little legs became light, suddenly she felt a push into the air and there she went somersaulting, until she reached a big and beautiful mountain. She was amazed by so much green. The trees were big and full of leaves, on is branches, there was birds of many colors. Pushed by the wind, Droplet ended up falling on a branch, right next to a yellow bird… “How, how beautiful you are! What is your name? – asked Droplet. “I'm PiuPiu and I really like living here. And who are you?", asked the bird,  “I'm Droplet, I'm made of water and I'm discovering the importance of water”. “Then come on, I’ll show you.”

On that mountain, there was a large waterfall and there she met new drops, similar to her and they all played together. They continued the walk and saw trees, flowers and animals and Droplet realized that this beauty was only possible thanks to the existence of water. She then continued her journey to a new destination.

Ilustrated by: Pedro

Teachers: Rosário Silva

Droplet, continued her journey, she began to feel very tired and slowly her little legs became light, suddenly she felt a push into the air and there she went somersaulting, until she reached a big and beautiful mountain. She was amazed by so much green. The trees were big and full of leaves, on is branches, there was birds of many colors. Pushed by the wind, Droplet ended up falling on a branch, right next to a yellow bird… “How, how beautiful you are! What is your name? – asked Droplet. “I'm PiuPiu and I really like living here. And who are you?", asked the bird,  “I'm Droplet, I'm made of water and I'm discovering the importance of water”. “Then come on, I’ll show you.”

On that mountain, there was a large waterfall and there she met new drops, similar to her and they all played together. They continued the walk and saw trees, flowers and animals and Droplet realized that this beauty was only possible thanks to the existence of water. She then continued her journey to a new destination.

Illustrator:Eslem Su Y.

Teacher:Gülen ALHAN ÇAKIR

As Droplet floated through the big sea, he faced some challenges. He ended up in a lovely place called Çanakkale in Turkey. The water looked beautiful, but Droplet saw signs of pollution there.

Droplet wanted to figure out what was wrong, so he explored Çanakkale. He swam around the edges, dived deep, and chatted with sea friends like fish, turtles, and seagulls. They told him about the problems in the water.

Droplet learned that even small actions could make a big difference. So, he talked to people in Çanakkale, encouraging them to care for their waters. With the folks inspired, Droplet continued his journey to the next place. Let's see where he goes next!

                                                      Illustrated by:Zeynep Beren B.

                                                         Teacher: Sibel KILINÇARSLAN

Droplet left Çanakkale and set off for Antalya, a Turkish province where sun, sea and history meet. Traveling with a gentle breeze in the sky, he was greeted by the clear waters of the Aegean and the azure waves of the Mediterranean. 

When he arrived in Antalya, he was mesmerized by his first stop, the Duden Waterfall. The water falling from the high rocks created coolness and vibrancy all around. This magnificent waterfall showed Damlacık how nature revitalizes water.

The beauty of Antalya and the different aspects of its water have increased Droplet's curiosity about water. Now, where should Damlacık's next destination be?  

Illustrated by: Ayşe A.

Teacher: Şükran GÜNKAN

After leaving the enchanting waters of Antalya, the Droplet traveled towards Ankara, the capital of Turkey. As she traveled with a light breeze in the sky, a magnificent view of the capital appeared.

When he arrived in Ankara, the first thing he noticed was the abundance and importance of the Kızılırmak River. It was one of the longest rivers in Turkey and had played a vital role in the region throughout history. As Droplet walked around the river, she once again felt the power of water and how precious it is for life.

Illustrated by: Omer O.

Teacher: Ayşe KUZDERE

Droplet  Antalya'dan çıkarak bereketli toprakların ve mistik atmosferin hakim olduğu Konya'ya doğru yola çıktı. Gökyüzünde hafif bir serinlikle yol alarak Mevlana'nın şehrine yaklaşıyordu. 

Konya'ya vardığında dikkatini çeken ilk şey Sultan Sazlığı oldu. Bu doğal sulak alan kuş cıvıltıları ve bitki örtüsüyle dolup taşıyordu. Damlacık, suyun doğayı nasıl beslediğini ve yaşamın kaynağı olduğunu burada daha net hissetti. 

Ancak Konya'nın bazı bölgelerinde su kıtlığı ve sulamada kullanılan suyun dengesizliği gibi endişe verici durumlarla karşılaştı. Tarımın önemli olduğu bu bölgede suyun yönetimi ve korunmasındaki zorlukları gözlemledi. 

Damlacık, Konya'nın suyla ilişkisinin hem doğal hem de insan yapımı unsurlarını araştırdı. Bu keşif ona suyun sadece doğayı değil aynı zamanda insan yaşamını da nasıl etkilediğini daha iyi anlamasını sağladı. Peki Damlacık'ın bundan sonraki hedefi neresi olmalı? Hangi ülkenin suları ve maceraları

Droplet traveled to the depths of the deepest sea and arrived in Italy, in the south of the country. There were very warm waters near the coast, according to the Droplet. He was swarmed by the sudden rays of sunshine. "Help!"He shouted, "I'm evaporating!" and Droplet went up into the sky. "That's cool!" he exclaimed happily while floating in the sky. "I'm water vapor!"He suddenly transformed into a tiny puffy cloud when he was high up in the sky. "He shouted, "Who am I?" He was part of a big cloud that made big raindrops. The water droplet fell down and yelled, "Oh no!" Splash! He jumped into the stream. Droplet thought it could be safe… but the water in this stream was very little and its bed wasdirty. The waters had a foul odor, as sewage from the industries had been poured into them. He ended up in the Gulf of Manfredonia and met some fish who explained the situation of the Cervero stream to him. This stream is one of the most important in Puglia because of its high biodiversity. 

The Cervaro stream comes from the Dauni Mountains and goes through Foggia for 140 kilometers.. It then flows into the Gulf of Manfredonia, where people can swim and enjoy the sun. The area is a beautiful place to bathe. Droplet decided to become a spokesperson to help the sea inhabitants.

When Droplet arrived in the North East of Italy he found a very strange town where all the people were moving with a boat and there were no cars.  Sometimes there was even more water than usual and water covered even the streets where people should walk. Droplet thought it could be a safe town if there was such a big amount of water ... but water wasn't safe even there.... boats could be as polluting as cars with their petrol engines. Couldn't they drive using sun energy ?

ICS Casale sul Sile - Italy - Teacher Clizia De Nadai

Damlacık traveled in the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea to Mersin, the pearl of Turkey. Traveling with a gentle breeze in the sky, he observed how the cool waters of the Göksu River revitalized nature.

However, in some parts of Mersin, there were concerns about imbalances in water use and the need for conservation. This prompted Damlacık's thoughts about the need to protect water and restore the balance of nature.

As she explored Mersin's wetlands and coasts, she realized the value of water in nature and urban life. Now, where should Damlacık's next destination be? Which country's waters and adventures awaited him?

Illustrated by: Ismail E.

Teacher: Özgür ERCEK

Droplet realized that he was a little tired after visiting the open seas and cool streams. He thought he would go to the Central Anatolia region of Turkey where water resources are limited, and rest there for a while. He was looking for a beautiful place in Central Anatolia. For this reason, he decided to rest in Eskişehir. When he came to Eskişehir and was walking around the city center, he suddenly noticed the Porsuk Stream which passes through the city center and where people sit and relax around it. He left himself on a bank in Droplet and started watching the Porsuk Stream like other people. Porsuk Stream not only relaxed and calmed people, but also entertained people by taking them on a gondola.Taking a ride on the water with a gondola attracted Droplet's attention. Droplet should have joined this fun excursion. He silently jumped onto the end of a gondola with the people. Droplet, at the end of the gondola, which was moving left and right with small maneuvers, was having a lot of fun while being thrown here and there. Droplet who had a great time in the city where he came to rest, thought it was time to leave after wandering around the city center, exploring the city and gathering strength. Let's see which beautiful part of the world he would move from this beautiful city to.

Ilustrated by: Hacer KILIÇ  

Teachers: Ruşen Ali Karaduman 

Damlacık'ın bir sonraki durağı Samsun oldu. Burada kendisi gibi birçok su damlacığı vardı. Burası çok yağış alan bir bölgeydi. Bu yüzden her yer yeşildi. Damlacık mutlu bir şekilde etrafta dolaşmaya başladı. Her yer temizdi. Buraları nasıl bu kadar temiz tutabiliyorlar diye düşünürken Su Harikaları projesi kapsamında yer alan Yakakent 100. Yıl öğrencilerinin deniz kenarında atık topladığını gördü. 

"İşte bu" dedi ve mutlu bir şekilde gülümsedi. Acaba damlacık bir dahaki sefere nereye gidecek?

DERYA AK/ YAKAKENT 100.YIL İLKOKULU

                            SAMSUN/ TÜRKİYE

        Droplet travelled across seas and countries...finally arrived above the 

 Carpathian Mountains in Romania. Their tops seemed to touch the sky.

   The air was colder and colder and Droplet felt his body freezing little by 

little and turned into an ice star. It became a wonderful snowflake, white 

and shiny, which began to slowly descend to the ground. It landed in the

  palm of a child in the schoolyard of the Queen Elisabeta School in 

 Busteni, Prahova, Romania.

       ‘’Hey, look at this flake! Do you see how beautiful it is? I have read that

 each flake is unique, that there are no two identical flakes!’’ 

 ‘

’Indeed! I will miss the snow! Do you remember what our teacher told 

 us when we talked about pollution? He advised us to take pictures to

 show our grandchildren when we are grandparents! There will be no

 more snow in the future!’’ 

      ‘’We need to do something! The Earth is suffering! The waters are

 polluted!’’

      While the children were talking, the flake melted and Droplet became

 invisible. He had left for other lands to solve this mistery of how to save

 The Earth…

Droplet began a new journey; he traveled for a long time in search of a wonderful place to stop...... During a night, while he was sleeping, he had a wonderful dream: he dreamed he had crossed a deep and shining sea and there, in the depths of the waves, he had met wonderful creatures such as a beautiful mermaid. Her name was Hillary and she told him how sad she was, because of the pollution of the sea. As they talked and becoming friends, suddenly, Hillaty told him it was time to wake up... to "really wake up" and to start talking to everyone about to never pollute the sea again.  When he woke up and opened his eyes, he saw a wonderful island, Sicily. The right place to start his journey again....

I.C. Michele Purrello, San Gregorio di Catania, Italy

"Oh, where am i," said the droplet with great curiosity.

 "Sir, sir, a droplet fell on the window!" shouted the students, interrupting the lesson. It was very peculiar that on a sunny day, a raindrop found its way into our classroom. What was even more peculiar was that this droplet could talk, and it asked the children where it was and because it had lost its way. The kids replied that it was in Greece, specifically in Preveza. 

-Oh, how wonderful! exclaimed the droplet. Did you know that our country has more than 6,000 islands? 

-Really? You must visit us regularly because we love water, and we need it, the kids said. 

-I'm having a great time here, but I must continue my journey,said the droplet. 

-How can we help you?

-Just leave me in the sea, and I will evaporate to rise back to the sky. That's my secret; that's how I travel!

-Perfect," we'll put you in a glass and throw you into the sea, which is next to our school. 

-How nice, thank you so much! said the droplet. 

    -I promise, I'll come back because you are the best children. Just be careful not to pollute the water, because something bad may happen    to me.

-Of course, answered all the children, and they carefully placed her in a glass. Then they left her in the sea as they had agreed. 

     As they tossed her into the water, they shouted: 

    -Goodbye, droplet! Don't forget us! We love you!

The droplet floated and floated to Istanbul, one of the most populous cities in Turkey. Everywhere was very crowded and they were wasting it in vain. Nobody cared. He started thinking about how to prevent water from flowing in vain. He knew that if he continued to waste like this, he might run out. He entered one of the schools. He met the students. And he asked them for empathy and asked a question

- If you were a drop of water, where would you want to fall? said.

While  the children thought and expressed it verbally, they also wanted to show it to him by drawing. Some of them fell into parks, making everywhere green and flowers blooming. Some of them fell into lakes, rivers and dams, meeting everyone's water needs.

-Droplet was satisfied with the answers given. His other question was "What if it wasn't me?" he said.

Of course, the children said in unison: WATER IS LIFE. So they continued, "It wouldn't have happened without you.

"The children said again that Droplet and its friends are important for our lives and that we should use them carefully.

Droplet happily floated from Istanbul to other lands.

Droplet arrived in France, in a small town called Roanne. Suddenly, Droplet discover a Big river dam, with a lot of seaweed everywhere. The smell was terrible, so Droplet decided to go a bit further on the river to understand why this big Dam was here. 

He arrived in the center of Roanne and discover a beautiful bridge, with boats, birds, fisherman... Close to this beautiful place, Droplet heard kids voices, playing... 

Droplet is very curious, so he followed the sound and saw.... Ecole Primaire Jules Ferry! There, kids were playing basketball, and Droplet played with them! Before to leave, he asked " Why did you build such a big Dam?" And kids answered that it is to avoid Floods in the citycenter. 

Now that he have all his answers, he could continue his trip, and he jumped into one of the barge in the port of Roanne... and relax

In the heart of Macedonia, a magical journey unfolded as a single water drop, named Aquilia, descended from the heavens to explore the country's most enchanting places.

Aquilia began its adventure high in the mountainous region of Matka, where the Vardar River carved its way through towering cliffs. The water drop marveled at the rugged landscapes and our waters, feeling a sense of awe at the natural beauty that surrounded it.Eager to experience more, Aquilia followed the flow of the Vardar River as it wound its way through the valleys. 

Soon, it reached the iconic Lake Ohrid, a shimmering jewel cradled between ancient mountains. Aquilia joined the crystal-clear waters, reflecting the centuries-old monasteries and charming lakeside villages that adorned the landscape.Driven by a desire to witness the diversity of Macedonia, Aquilia navigated its way to the bustling capital city, Skopje. There, amidst the blend of ancient architecture and modern landmarks, the water drop marveled at the Stone Bridge and the majestic statues that told tales of the nation's rich history.

Continuing its journey, Aquilia ventured to the town of Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It explored the cobbled streets, visited the Ohrid Amphitheatre, and admired the frescoes of the Saint Sophia Cathedral, immersing itself in the cultural tapestry of the region. 

As Aquilia traversed the landscapes, it made its way to Mavrovo National Park, where our forests, mountain meadows, and the stunning Mavrovo Lake awaited. The water drop reveled in the untouched wilderness, feeling a deep connection to the natural wonders that Macedonia had to offer.

In the eastern part of the country, Aquilia visited the ancient city of Stobi, an archaeological treasure trove showcasing remnants of a bygone era. It marveled at the well-preserved mosaics and temples, a testament to the rich heritage of Macedonia.Through its journey, Aquilia came to understand the intrinsic beauty of Macedonia and the vital role water played in shaping its landscapes. From the heights of Matka to the depths of Lake Ohrid, the water drop left a trace of its presence, becoming a part of the country's vibrant scenery and contributing to the lifeblood of this remarkable land.

On his journey, Droplet got too close to the sun. He suddenly became invisible.

He sat down on a cloud to get some rest. A strong wind began to blow and Droplet was carried away. The cloud brought him to the northern part of Romania, in a wonderful place between three rivers.

Droplet admired the beauty of the place, the fir-tree forests, the wooden buildings and the traditional costumes. It was winter here. The children were waiting for the snowflakes. Droplet fell off the cloud, but on the way, he stumbled upon the cold wind that turned him into a shining little star. He was a snowflake now and he was floating in the air. How shiny he was!

He could see that everything was white, covered in snow and, he believed that the whole world would disappear under the snow blanket.

He heard a tree saying " I am covered in snow and I can't feel the cold anymore!"

Droplet understood that the snow protects the plants and the animals from the winter's frost and, when the sun melts the snow, it will turn into water, so important for plants.

Will Droplet manage to continue his journey, to discover other places, other secrets?

Ilustrated by Lara, Adelina, Sara, Tudor

Teacher  Anca Tomoiaga