Hi,
This is Stefania,
And we had a request for a story about whales.
So we've written one for you.
It's called Whale the Whale's First Big Journey.
Whale was a young humpback whale,
Just one year old,
With curious eyes and a flicky tail that never stopped moving.
Are we really going,
Mama?
He asked one morning,
Flipping joyfully near the surface.
Yes,
Sweetheart,
Said Mama Whale.
It's time.
We're heading south to the warm seas.
Papa Whale added,
You ready,
Whale?
It's a long swim,
But we'll be with you every splash of the way.
Whale squealed with excitement.
He had heard stories of the Great Migration,
The journey whales made every year from the cold,
Food-filled waters of the North to the calm,
Tropical waters of the South,
Where baby whales were born.
They dove deep and swam in long,
Graceful strokes.
For a while,
Everything felt like a game.
Whale chased bubbles,
Raised his shadow,
And sang little tunes to himself.
South we go,
Tail to and fro.
I'm a little whale.
Off I go.
As the days passed,
They met others on the same journey.
There was Tico the sea turtle,
Paddling slow but steady.
Where are you off to,
Young flipper?
Asked Tico,
His eyes twinkling.
We're migrating,
Whale chirped.
I'm going all the way south with Mama and Papa.
Then we're all sea travelers today,
Chuckled Tico.
Stick to your pod,
Little one.
The ocean's big,
But families keep us safe.
Later,
Whale spotted a pod of spinner dolphins leaping from the waves like skipping stones.
Hey,
Whale called.
Can I play too?
Race you to that wave crest,
Shouted Luna the dolphin,
Twirling midair.
Whale and Luna zipped through the water,
Playing tag with the waves.
He had never felt so fast and free.
But soon,
Papa Whale called gently.
Time to stay close,
Whale.
We have many miles still to go.
Okay,
Papa,
Whale said,
A little breathless for smiling.
Bye,
Luna.
See you down south,
She squeaked.
But one evening,
The sky turned cloudy.
The sea felt different,
Darker,
And a little colder.
Suddenly,
A shadow passed below.
Whale blinked.
Mama,
What's that?
Before they could answer,
A group of orcas appeared,
Their tall dorsal fins cutting through the surface.
Stay calm,
Whispered Papa.
We're not food to them,
But we don't want to make a fuss.
But Whale,
Curious and young,
Swam that bit too close.
Hey,
Little guy,
Growled one of the orcas.
His name was Blade,
And his voice had a sharp edge.
I-I was just looking,
Whale stammered,
Suddenly unsure.
You're in our way,
Blade said.
Better learn the rules of the sea.
Before things got tense,
A soft voice chimed in.
Blade,
Leave him be,
Said Korra,
A young orca from the same pod.
She swam between Whale and the grumpy Whale.
He didn't mean anything.
He's just learning.
Blade gave a snort and swam off.
Whale looked at Korra,
Wide-eyed.
Thanks.
That was scary.
You'll be fine,
Korra said gently.
The ocean's big.
Not everyone's kind,
But plenty are.
Swim safe,
Little humpback.
Whale rejoined his parents,
Sticking close the rest of the day.
The next morning,
The water sparkled again.
Sunlight danced below the surface,
And all around them were schools of silvery fish,
Swirling like glitter.
It's feeding time,
Said Papa.
Watch and learn.
Mama and Papa showed Whale how to bubble net feed,
Blowing bubbles to trap the fish in a circle.
Whale tried,
Too.
His bubbles were wobbly and silly.
More like a bubble mess than a bubble net,
Whale giggled,
Fish slipping past him.
You'll get it,
Mama smiled.
For now,
Have a snack.
As they swam farther,
The water grew warmer.
Whale felt lighter and even more playful.
Are we almost there?
He asked.
Almost,
Said Papa.
Just one more day.
That night under the starry ocean sky,
The family floated near the surface.
Do you miss the cold sea?
Whale asked.
A little,
Mama said.
But we come south so calves can be born in safe,
Warm waters.
Just like you were.
Someday,
Papa added,
You'll lead your own little whale on this very same journey.
Whale thought about that,
And it made his heart feel full and warm.
Finally,
They reached the tropical bay.
The water was calm,
And other whales were already there,
Singing,
Splashing,
And resting.
Welcome,
Said a familiar voice.
It was Luna the Dolphin,
Back with her pod.
You made it,
She squeaked.
And look who's here,
Too,
Whale said,
Spotting Cora the orca in the distance.
She gave him a quiet nod.
Whale flipped high into the air,
Splashing down with joy.
I did it,
He sang.
I made the journey.
You did,
Whale,
Mama whispered,
Nuzzling him gently.
We're so proud.
Whale yawned,
Floating sleepily between his parents as the sun dipped below the waves.
With the warm sea rocking him gently,
He whispered,
I can't wait to do it again.
As the years went by,
Whale grew stronger and more confident.
The once uncertain calf blossomed into a majestic whale,
Eager to face the challenges of the Great Migration.
Each journey brought new experiences,
And Whale embraced them with wisdom and grace.
One year became the most amazing year ever.
Whale found himself leading his own family on the Sacred Migration.
His heart swelled with pride as he watched his young calf splash playfully alongside their pod.
Memories of his first journey flooded his mind,
And he knew that the cycle of life continued,
Each generation learning from the one before.
With the gentle hum of the ocean lullaby guiding them,
Whale and his family navigated the vast blue expanse together.
As they reached a tranquil tropical bay,
Whale glanced back at his family,
A knowing smile gracing his face.
The circle was complete.
In the company of their loved ones,
Whale and his family enjoyed the tropical bay's beauty,
Sharing stories and laughter under the starlit sky.
Whale,
Now a wise leader,
Knew that he will continue to guide his family through life's journeys,
Just as his parents had done for him all those years ago.
And that's the end of our story,
Whale the Whale's First Big Journey.
Bye for now.
