The precursor to a tsunami...

Before the massive tsunami hit Thailand on December 26, 2004, there was a very typical detail: before a tsunami arrives, the sea water will suddenly recede one or two hundred meters.

Ordinary people who lack common knowledge, upon seeing the sea recede, would only find it novel and rush to the exposed beach to pick up fish and shells, joining in the excitement. But those with common sense and experience know that a sudden, significant retreat of seawater is a precursor to an imminent tsunami.

At that time, many tourists on the beach were watching the spectacle and gathering seafood, completely unaware of the impending danger. Among the crowd, a young foreign girl suddenly told her parents they must leave immediately, as a tsunami was about to come.

Her parents didn't believe it at first; the weather was perfectly fine, with no signs of anything unusual. But the girl was insistent, even crying anxiously, demanding the family leave at once. Finally, the family of four had to leave the beach and ran to a nearby hotel, warning the staff about the imminent tsunami.

The hotel staff were also surprised initially, thinking the child was playing a prank. But seeing the girl crying so earnestly and with such conviction, they had no choice but to take it seriously and immediately sounded the beach alarm.

Within just six or seven minutes, all tourists on the beach were evacuated in an orderly manner. Shortly after everyone had left, a massive wave over ten meters high crashed onto the shore.
Thanks to the timely evacuation, there were almost no casualties on this beach, all saved by the girl's alertness.

Bali during the same period was not so fortunate; that tsunami caused severe casualties, killing several hundred or even over a thousand people.

Later, this girl was even invited to the United Nations, serving as a public service spokesperson for tsunami disaster prevention and giving a speech.
When asked how she, at such a young age, knew about this tsunami precursor, she explained: her elementary school teacher had taught her—if you see the sea suddenly recede significantly, don't think about anything else, just run to higher ground immediately.

During the same period, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and India (including areas near Bali) suffered over 200,000–300,000 fatalities.