WEAF’S ADVENTURES AROUND EUROPE

CHAPTER 1:

THE ADVENTURES OF A DOLPHIN

DURING HIS JOURNEY FROM RETHYMNO TO SICILY.

The sun is rising in the blue sky and the sunrays are reflecting on the crystal clear waters of Rethymno. Another day starts.

At the dolphin school the History lesson has just finished and the dolphins are getting ready for the break, jumping in the air and looking at Rethymno from far away. They feel proud of their origin.

Their dolphin teacher taught them that in ancient times their dolphin ancestors had accompanied the Greek ships to South Italy and Sicily. The Greeks had travelled there in order to find a better life and they had created a great civilization. Since then, the dolphins organise a celebration “The Dolphin Games” which take place every seven years. A young dolphin has to manage to swim to Sicily.

Arion, a young dolphin, doesn’t play with the other dolphins.

- What’s the matter Arion? Why don’t you play with us?- I want to take part in “The Dolphin Games”. I want to explore the Mediterranean Sea.- Aren’t you happy here? Rethymno has loved us; the symbol of the city is the dolphin. So why do you want

to leave? You are too young for this deed and it is very dangerous.- Because just living is not enough. You must feel free and see new places.

I have made up my mind. I am going to go far away.

5 So his parents helped him get ready for the trip and gave him advice. His grandfather and his father narrated stories about their own adventures. His grandmother cooked fish a la crème.

Following the map that his grandfather gave him, he sets off his long journey, flipping his triangular tail fin which looks so shiny under the orange and yellow sun and the waters falling onto it. Heading towards the Ionian Sea, he meets whales, calamari and octopuses. The little fish swim carelessly in the sea with the starfish and the seahorses.

The waters become blue and green as he reaches the amazing caves of Zakynthos (Zante). The little dolphin had never seen such a beautiful sea before.

Suddenly he hears a scream coming from the sea calling for “HELP”. Arion feels worried and swims over there to see at his great surprise a little caretta - caretta turtle caught in the fishermen nets, being in great danger. “Oh! Why are people so careless?” he wonders as he came near it.

- “Help me my little dolphin! I can’t set myself free”, she screams.- Don’t be afraid! I will try to save you.

He flips his tail up and down but in vain. He needs to use his teeth. Finally he manages to set the turtle free, since dolphins are said to be the most intelligent animals of the sea.

- Thank you! You saved my life! Come to meet my family and my friends.- “Thanks but I have to continue my journey”, he replies and explains to her where he is heading to.

10 Further away, a small island which looks like paradise appears. It is Ithaka, Odysseus’ island. How right he was that he wanted to return back home!

11 Suddenly the sky turns black, clouds gather above him and there is a thunder and a terrible storm starts which forces the dolphin to dive at the bottom of the sea and get covered by the sea weeds and the dark sand. The strong waves hit his body. Arion feels scared. The sea is his home but now he is all alone without his family and his friends and he is very afraid. Now he realizes that his journey is dangerous. Maybe it wasn’t wise to leave?

After a lot of hours the exhausted dolphin blinks his eyes. Everything looks blurred and the fish help him come around. When the dizzy dolphin regains consciousness the fish stand on it and accompany him to the surface of the sea.

The clouds have disappeared and the sky is not angry any more. The sun is golden now. Arion swims with the colourful little fish. There is no fear in his heart anymore, he beat it. He is breathing the air of freedom.

He sees a beautiful island far away which seems like a mermaid. Happy voices of other dolphins are heard in the sea.

An old dolphin that looks very wise comes closer.

- Congratulations! You reached Sicily. You are the dolphin that took part in “the Dolphin Games”, aren’t you? What’s your name?

- My name is Arion. I wanted to make my dream come true and travel in the Mediterranean Sea.- “That’s right!” answers the wise dolphin. We spend half of our life to make dreams and the rest of it we

cancel them. We must fulfill at least one of them.

The celebration that starts is unique! Everybody drinks fish juice and fish sticks. Perhaps they also sing because there is a sound like music coming from the sea….