Dolphins Alongside

It's a beautiful morning to go sailing, Suzanne began the telling. It' s

Dad's vacation and we're going to Snug Harbor.

We load Snow White-that's the name of our sailboat, you know-with

suitcases and boxes of food. We take our special toys and lots of other

things for a long stay. When we are all ready, we cast off.

When we're far enough away from the slip, Dad hoists the sail. The

breeze fills the sail and we head out to sea.

Roger and I sit with Dad at the helm to steer and Mother goes below to

make sandwiches. We all wear life jackets. That just makes good sense,

like wearing seat belts when you're riding in a car.

The sea is gentle and we're moving right along. Roger is looking out to

sea as Dad and I talk.

Suddenly Roger shouts and points.

'Look. Dad. Suzanne. Look.'

'Where?' I ask. 'What do you see?'

'There, there,' Roger shouts, and points again. 'Do you see them?'

'See what?' I'm excited, but I don't know what to look for. 'Tell me what

you're pointing at, Roger.'

'Dolphins. They're jumping out of the water and diving back in again.

There. He points off the bow.

I look again, real hard, and I see what Roger is pointing at. A school of

dolphins, leaping.

'Dolphins are mammals', Dad says, 'and different from fish. They're also

very intelligent and friendly. Wave at them. Maybe they'll come closer

and leap near the Snow White.'

So Roger and I wave at the dolphins and call out to them.

'Come on over,' we shout.

They must hear us because they change direction and jump and dive in

our direction. When they're close they turn and swim alongside.

Mother comes up and holds on to us as we lean against the rail and wave

and call out to them.

The dolphins stay with us most of the way to the island. About a mile

offshore they turn away. We're sorry to see them leave. I guess it's time

for them to head for home.

'That was our first adventure of the trip. Would you like to hear about

another one?'

'Sure would,' I said.

'OK,' said Roger. 'Let's meet here tomorrow, and I'll tell about our

sailing into the harbor.'

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