Watching as all of the Fish swam on by,
The big, lonely Whale breathed a deep sigh.
In schools the Fish laughed, happy as can be,
Playing and frolicking in the blue sea.
Whale would usually swim all alone,
By himself since he was full grown.
A popular mate when he was a minor,
Before he grew big as an ocean liner.
He'd swim by, all would be overtaken-
The turbulence he created left them quite shaken.
They'd play hide and seek in an old sunken barge,
But it's not much of a game when you're so large.
More and more, he found he was excluded.
"It's because I'm too big," he sadly concluded.
"Playing with me is too much of a fuss.
I guess that's what happens when you weigh more than a bus."
It's not that the others disliked their old friend.
They enjoyed with him the time they did spend.
But as his diameter grew to be vast,
They became small and frail in direct contrast.
Their favorite games would have to be changed,
And preferred activities all rearranged
So that Whale wouldn't feel left out and hurt.
But in the end they did not want to make the effort.
The Fish would play polo with oyster pearls,
Then compete to make the best eddies and swirls.
A game of golf with clubs replaced by some eels,
While Whale would watch glumly as he alone ate his meals.
One day while the Whale was off on a swim,Noise on the currents floated to him.
The nearer he swam, the louder it got-
"Something is wrong," he suddenly thought.
A crowd of Mantas, Lobsters and Snails,
Seahorses and Fish, twitching their tails.
Gathered in coral, surrounded by kelp,
Anxiously debating the best way to help.
Several old friends, while out and about,
Were exploring a cave, and now couldn't get out.
The opening collapsed with them still inside.
None could find a new exit, though all had tried.
Whale asked where they were, "Follow us!"
they instructed,
To a giant sea cave, the entrance obstructed.
Whale thought a minute and then yelled,
"Stay back!"
Then with his great tail, gave the cave a
good whack!
With a powerful hit, a big, mighty clout,
Whale had created another way out!
The Fish swam out quickly, clearly relieved
Not to be stuck inside, glad to be freed.
They gathered round Whale with great gratitude,
Feeling ashamed they were thoughtless and rude.
"Selfish and mean, we took the easiest route.
But when we needed help, you had not one doubt."
"Friendship takes effort, but has great rewards.
You were a good friend; we acted like boors.
We are very sorry, so we hope that you, please,
Will accept our deepest apologies?"
Whale happily nodded his colossal head.
Smiles were beamed, and kind words were said.
What is the message of this short, deep sea tale?
What can we learn from someone like the Whale?
Everyone is unique and has different needs.
We might have to make changes to make friendships succeed.
But if you're unfeeling to others and if you don't try,
You might miss out on a whale of a guy.
