The Penguin and the Little Whale

The Penguin and the Little Whale Jane MEADOW

Pip was a small penguin with a round white belly and a little red scarf. He lived beside the big blue ocean, where the waves went swish, swish, swish all day long. Pip loved to waddle to the water's edge and watch the bright water sparkle. "One day," he said, "I will have a grand adventure on the sea." 1

One sunny morning, Pip saw something new in the water. A smooth blue-grey head popped up, with big friendly dark eyes and a wide smiling mouth. It was a young whale, as long as a small boat. "Hello!" said the whale. "My name is Splash. Who are you?" Pip's heart went thump, thump, thump with excitement. 2

"I am Pip," said the penguin, fluffing his chick feathers. "I live on the land, right here." Splash smiled so wide that his pale speckled belly wobbled. "I have never met a penguin before," said the whale. "Would you like to see the ocean with me?" Pip wiggled his tiny orange feet. "Yes, please!" he cheered. 3

Splash dipped down, and Pip hopped onto his smooth back. The little red scarf flapped in the salty wind. Off they went across the big blue ocean, past rocks and rolling waves. Pip held on tight and laughed out loud. "This is the best adventure ever!" he called, and Splash spouted a tiny happy spout of water. 4

They raced along the coastal waters, fast and faster. Splash swam like a slippery blue arrow, and Pip cheered from his back. "Go, go, go!" cried the penguin, as the wind tickled his cheeks. Splash swished his rounded fins and zoomed past a sleepy seal. The two friends laughed until their sides felt warm and wiggly. 5

Then Splash showed Pip a secret cove with water clear as glass. Bright fish darted like little rainbows, and pink crabs waved their claws. "Oh, look!" said Pip, pointing with his tiny orange beak. Splash floated quietly so Pip could see everything. "This is my favorite place," said the whale softly. Pip thought it was the most wonderful place in the world. 6

After all that splashing, they rested on a warm flat rock. "Tell me about life on land," said Splash, blinking his big dark eyes. So Pip told funny stories about his penguin friends. He told about the day everyone slipped on the shiny ice and landed in a big, silly pile. Splash giggled so hard the water bubbled. 7

Pip told more stories. He told about the snow that fell soft and white, and how it tickled his little beak. He told about dancing with his penguin cousins, waddling side to side. Splash listened with joy, his speckled belly rising and falling. "You have the best stories," said the whale. "I could listen all day long." 8

Then the wind grew stronger and the waves grew tall and choppy. Whoosh went the water, up and down, up and down. Pip held on tight, but he felt a little wobbly and scared. Splash stayed calm and steady. "Don't worry, little friend," said the whale gently. "I will take care of you." 9

Splash swam slowly and smoothly, sliding between the big waves like a gentle boat. Pip peeked out from his red scarf and saw the shore getting closer. "You are so brave and kind," said Pip. Splash gave a soft little spout. "And you are brave too," said the whale. "You trusted me. That is a very brave thing." 10

Soon the water grew quiet and calm again. The waves went swish, swish, swish, soft and sleepy. A round orange sun began to sink into the sea. "Look," whispered Pip. "The sky is turning pink!" They floated together, watching the colors glow over the water, and neither one wanted the day to end. 11

"I have an idea," said Pip. "You told me stories about the ocean, and I told you stories about the land. Let's share them every single day." Splash smiled his wide whale smile. "Every morning by the big rock?" he asked. "Every morning!" said Pip, hopping up and down. They tapped a promise with a tiny fin and a tiny orange foot. 12

The next day, and the next, and the next, they met by the big rock. Splash carried Pip to new coves, and Pip told funny new stories about the land. They splashed and raced and explored wonderful places together. Some days were sunny, and some were windy, but every day was an adventure with a friend. 13

One day Splash said, "Before I met you, the ocean felt big and lonely. Now it feels big and friendly." Pip nodded and hugged the whale's smooth side. "And before I met you," said the penguin, "the land felt small. Now I know there is a whole wide world to explore." 14

When evening came, Pip waddled home with sand on his tiny feet and a warm, happy heart. He pulled his red scarf snug and looked out at the sea, where Splash's little spout winked in the sunset. "Goodnight, best friend," Pip called. A soft splash answered him, and the stars came out one by one. 15

And that is how a little penguin and a young whale became the best of friends. They learned that you do not have to look the same or live in the same place to share a wonderful friendship. When you have a friend beside you, every day can be a surprising adventure. And the big blue ocean is always ready for one more story.