Thursday, July 4, 2013
My twin
sister Avani and I watched the most amazing science video today –
about the sea, about coral reefs, and about dolphins!
They
squeak. They swim and play. They save people when they fall off
boats.
And
Avani wants one.
Avani
could squeak in dolphin language. It can't be that different from
whining.
We have
a swimming pool. And she's not afraid to ride on a dolphin's back.
Avani
asks Mom as soon as she gets home.
“You
want a dolphin?” Mom squeals. She would be great at talking to
dolphins, too.
“Please?”
says Avani.
“Sorry,
Avani. It's not possible,” she says.
Avani
goes to our room and draws a picture of a smiling dolphin jumping out
of our swimming pool. Dad always swims laps by himself. Surely he
would like the company.
Avani
asks Dad as soon as he gets home.
“Swim
with a dolphin?” Dad repeats slamming the trunk. He is definitely
strong enough.
“Please?”
says Avani.
“Sorry,
Avani. It's not possible,” he says.
Avani is
so distracted during dinner, she pokes green beans into her cheek.
She pours water down her chin. And worst of all, she forgets she has
a piece of bread in her hand, leans onto her elbow, and smashes it
into her ear.
Dad
asks, “What's on your mind, Avani?”
“Dolphins,”
she says.
He
shakes his head.
“Mom,
can I use your computer?” Avani asks.
“If
it's for school work,” she says.
We both
go to the living room.
She
types DOLPHINS and we watch shiny, grey creatures swim in the
Atlantic Ocean and in the Pacific Ocean... Pink dolphins even swim in
rivers! But not one dolphin lives near us, in the middle of the
country.
I write
down some notes while Avani types DOLPHIN CENTERS. They exist in
North America, South America... Australia has several centers! But
not one center is anywhere near our house.
Then we
see a word at the bottom of the screen. ADOPTION. She clicks on it,
and we read the description.
“Mom,
Dad,” I shout back into the kitchen, “Avani can have a
dolphin.”
As I
scribble down names and places, my parents scoot back their chairs.
“Come
see,” Avani shouts even though they're already standing behind us.
Mom
says, “These dolphins have been injured and can't go back to sea.
How sad.”
Dad
says, “They need donations to help care for them.”
“I'll
give everything in my piggy bank,” Avani says and runs upstairs.
Her coins rattle as she runs back downstairs. “Please?”
“Sorry,
Avani,” says Dad. “It is not possible that you have enough money
to feed a dolphin for a year.”
But
Avani asks, “What if we each add some money?”
Mom and
Dad look at one another.
“Please?”
says Avani.
Finally,
a smile creeps onto Dad's face and in between Mom's cheeks.
Avani
knew it was possible!
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3 comments:
sweet dream with dolphin.
I’m glad to read you again. Thanks for this post. Best for you Buddy! and Merry Christmas
I’m glad to read you again. Thanks for this post. Best for you Buddy! and Merry Christmas
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