Delia Unites the Ocean (eBook)

Aiden Hawthorne (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
177 Seiten
The Good Child Bookstore (Verlag)
978-0-00-080973-5 (ISBN)

Infos

Delia is a playful young dolphin who feels disconnected from her vast ocean home. Determined to make friends and discover the secret to lasting harmony, she explores reefs, lagoons, and the mysterious deep. Along the way, she meets a hilarious blowfish, a wise sea turtle, and many more colorful characters who help her understand the power of unity. Through adventures bursting with laughter, surprising lessons, and heartwarming discoveries, Delia reminds all creatures that differences can make friendships richer. Delia Unites the Ocean is a whimsical underwater tale that shows kids how teamwork and empathy bring communities together.

Textauszug

Chapter 1: A Lonely Dolphin’s Dream

Delia woke up in her favorite nook of the coral reef, a snug little spot nestled between towering pink sea fans and bright orange sponge plants. The water around her shimmered with bits of morning sunlight that managed to sneak through the surface of the ocean. Tiny silvery fish darted in and out of the coral like playful dancers late for a performance. Delia stretched her fins and let out a cheerful squeak—her usual way of greeting the day—then gazed out at the vast blue that stretched around her home.

Even though her mornings were peaceful, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. Sure, she had the reef’s colorful fish and the gentle sway of seaweed for company, but her heart longed for real friends to share her joys and worries. She often watched other creatures from a distance: sea turtles gliding along with wise expressions, clownfish gathering in giggling groups, and even schools of dolphins racing past in a flurry of squeaks. Yet, Delia found herself alone, drifting along her tiny corner of the ocean without anyone to swim beside her.

On this particular morning, she decided she wouldn’t linger in her nook for too long. A small bubble of determination rose inside her, urging her to explore more of the reef. After all, there had to be someone out there who felt the same way she did—someone who might be looking for a friend. She gently nudged a curious seahorse with her nose, gave a quick flick of her tail, and began her slow glide through the coral forest. Her mind buzzed with possibilities, imagining all the creatures she might meet that day.

As Delia made her way along a winding path, she paused to watch a trio of parrotfish nibbling algae off a coral branch. Their bright scales sparkled like jewels, and they made silly munching sounds that reminded her of someone chewing with their mouth full. She smiled, wondering if they would welcome a conversation. But before she could squeak a greeting, they darted off together, giggling in their own fishy way. Delia sighed. Sometimes it felt like everyone already had a friend except for her.

Not one to lose hope, she pressed on, weaving around flitting butterflyfish and gently dodging a few overly curious cleaner wrasses. The deeper she swam, the more the ocean opened up. The reef here was grander—its coral spires stretched upward like miniature towers. Overhead, a school of shimmering sardines moved in perfect harmony, swaying this way and that, glinting in the watery sunlight as if choreographed by a hidden conductor. The spectacle made Delia grin, reminding her that the ocean was a place of wonder. If entire schools of fish could get along and move as one, then surely she could find at least one companion to make her smile.

She eventually arrived at a sandy clearing near the edge of the reef. Here, sea anemones waved slow hellos, while a lone starfish clung to a rock. No matter how lovely the scene, Delia’s thoughts circled back to her loneliness. She found a smooth coral ledge, carefully perched herself upon it, and stared into the distance where sunlight faded into a shadowy cobalt hue. Could it be that her future friend was out there, somewhere beyond the reef?

As she daydreamed, tiny bubbles escaped her blowhole. She pictured herself racing beside a group of dolphins, squeaking jokes, and exploring underwater caves with them. In her imagination, she was never left behind. She felt so swept up in this vision that a real giggle escaped her lips. Startled by her own laughter, she glanced around, half-expecting to see another dolphin appear from behind a boulder to share her joy. But the only thing that drifted by was an empty snail shell.

Trying to lift her spirits, she decided to search for something new and interesting. Her snout brushed against the sea floor, stirring up a puff of sand. She spotted a bright orange scallop shell half-buried near a cluster of seaweed. With a playful wiggle of her tail, she scooped the shell up, balanced it on her nose, and spun it like a tiny spinning top. A wave of delight rushed through her—she might be alone, but she could still entertain herself.

After a moment, the shell slipped off and clinked against a bit of coral. Determined not to lose it, Delia snatched it up again, this time holding it carefully between her fins. Maybe it would be a good luck charm, something to remind her of her goal: to find a friend who would appreciate all the ocean’s magic as much as she did. Tucking it under her fin, she scanned the waters one more time, hoping for a sign.

Just then, a sharp squawk echoed from somewhere above her. She glanced upward, squinting at the shifting sunlight. A seagull circled, dipping its wings into the ocean breeze. Delia had often admired these birds from below, fascinated by how they navigated both air and water’s surface. The gull swooped closer, then drifted higher, as if beckoning her to go beyond her familiar boundaries. Although she couldn’t fly, she could certainly swim further than ever before. Perhaps that was exactly what she needed: a change of scenery, a push into new waters.

She slid off the coral ledge and gave a determined flick of her tail. Her heart pounded with both excitement and a pinch of nervousness. The idea of leaving behind her cozy reef, even for a short while, felt equal parts thrilling and daunting. Yet, her longing for friendship outweighed her hesitation. Delia angled her fins toward a part of the ocean she’d never thoroughly explored—a place rumored to have sprawling coral gardens and an even wider variety of creatures.

On her way, she passed by a patch of sea grass where a pair of sea horses bobbed in rhythm with the current. They appeared quite cozy with each other, so she hesitated to interrupt. She gave them a gentle nod, smiling at how they gently curled their tails together. The pair turned their tiny faces toward her, blinking with mild curiosity, then returned to their gentle swaying. It wasn’t exactly the enthusiastic welcome she hoped for, but it reminded her that companionship existed everywhere—she just needed to find her own puzzle piece that fit.

The water turned slightly cooler as she ventured farther from the reef. The sunlight overhead seemed to dim, but luminous plankton twinkled like miniature stars. Delia had a flutter in her stomach, an awareness that she was heading into unknown territory. Rays of golden light filtered down in shifting patterns, and the space between corals grew wider. Everything felt open, like a grand underwater field.

While drifting past a towering sea sponge, she noticed a single blowfish drifting in slow circles. It wore a frown, which intrigued Delia. Blowfish typically looked startled or silly, but this one seemed lost in thought. She almost swam over to say hello but felt a sudden flash of self-consciousness. What if it didn’t want to talk? This blowfish might be on a mission or simply prefer being alone. She hovered indecisively, fins twitching.

Eventually, she let out a quiet squeak—her attempt at a polite greeting. The blowfish spun around, eyes wide, but offered only a puzzled stare. Delia realized she might have startled it. In a gentle tone, she tried again: “Hi… oh, I’m sorry if I scared you.”

The blowfish blinked. “No… just not used to folks sneaking up on me,” it replied with a small puff. Then it noticed the bright scallop shell clutched under Delia’s fin and seemed to relax. “That’s a nice shell you’ve got there,” it said, voice subdued.

Encouraged by its calm response, Delia flicked her tail. “Thanks! I just found it. I’m sort of… collecting little souvenirs,” she said, though in truth this was her first meaningful keepsake. She paused, trying to think of something else to add. Finally, she asked, “Are you new around here? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

The blowfish looked away, a cloud of sadness crossing its eyes. “I’m Bubbles,” it said softly. “And no, I’m not new. But I don’t fit in very well. I usually float around by myself. I’m not the best at conversation… sometimes I puff up when I get anxious, and that scares people off.”

Delia felt a surge of empathy, recognizing a kindred spirit. She responded gently, “Well, my name is Delia, and I’m on the lookout for new friends.” She half-expected Bubbles to puff up then and there, but the blowfish remained at ease. Maybe they could get along, she thought. Before she could say more, Bubbles seemed to grow shy, offering only a polite nod.

“Nice to meet you,” Bubbles murmured, turning away slightly. Delia realized that forging a friendship might take more than a quick hello. Despite Bubbles’s uncertain manner, she felt an undercurrent of hope. This was the first time in ages that another creature had paused long enough to talk to her. Maybe tomorrow, or the next day, she could invite Bubbles on a little swim. For now, she decided not to push too hard.

“All right,” Delia said kindly. “I’ll see you around.” Bubbles gave a small smile, then floated off near a cluster of spiky sea urchins. Delia watched the blowfish go, feeling a tingle of excitement. Perhaps she wasn’t the only one seeking connections. Sometimes, the quiet ones held surprising depths.

Renewed energy coursed through her as she glided onward, deeper into parts of the reef she rarely visited. Twisting seaweed formations wavered in the gentle current like underwater ribbons. Here and there, fish peeked out of rock crevices, possibly curious about the newcomer. She realized she was venturing far from her original nook, but instead of worry, she felt alive with possibility.

Passing a towering column of coral shaped like a giant mushroom, she...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 26.5.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Kinder- / Jugendbuch
• ISBN-10: 0-00-080973-X / 000080973X
• ISBN-13: 978-0-00-080973-5 / 9780000809735