The Girl and the Tiny Whale

The Girl and the Tiny Whale - Author : Ebru Mina TOMURCUK

Mia was a curious girl with warm light brown skin and big round hazel eyes. She wore a mustard yellow raincoat over her blue dress and red rubber boots. One sunny morning, she skipped through the woods behind her house. She loved to explore, and today she found a path she had never seen before. It led to a magical pond that sparkled like diamonds. 1

The pond was small and round, with water so clear Mia could see every pebble at the bottom. She knelt down to look closer, and her freckles danced in the reflection. Suddenly, something tiny moved in the water. It was no bigger than a kitten, with smooth slate blue skin and a pale speckled belly. Mia gasped. It was a tiny whale! 2

The little whale swam in slow circles and looked up at Mia with sea glass eyes. It blew a soft bubble puff from its spout and made a tiny squeaky sound. Mia smiled her bright open smile. 'Hello, little whale,' she said. 'My name is Mia. What is yours?' The whale squeaked again, and Mia decided to call him Pip. 3

Pip swam to the edge of the pond and rested his small chin on the mossy bank. Mia sat beside him and opened her canvas satchel for a snack. She shared a bit of biscuit, though Pip only sniffed it. 'Why do you look so sad, Pip?' Mia asked. Pip let out a long, bubbly sigh and flicked his little tail. The pond was too small for a whale, even a tiny one. 4

Mia watched Pip bump into a lily pad and get tangled in a reed. He tried to dive deep, but his tail touched the bottom. He tried to swim fast, but the pond ended too soon. Mia's kind heart ached for her new friend. 'You need more room, don't you?' she said softly. Pip nodded his tiny head and blew a sad bubble. 5

Mia ran home to ask her grandmother about the tiny whale. Her grandmother smiled and said, 'Long ago, there was an enchanted ocean far beyond the hills. That is where the tiny whales belong.' Mia's hazel eyes grew wide. She knew what she had to do. She packed her satchel with snacks and a blanket, and hurried back to the pond. 6

Pip was waiting for her, floating near the bank. Mia held out her hands. 'Come on, Pip. I'm taking you home.' Pip wiggled with excitement and splashed into her palms. He was just the length of her hand, and his slate blue skin felt cool and smooth. Mia gently placed him in her satchel, where he peeked out with his sea glass eyes. 7

The journey began past the tall green hills. Mia walked and walked, her red boots crunching on the path. Pip blew bubble puffs to cheer her on. 'We're coming, Pip,' she said. 'Just a little further.' They crossed a field of yellow flowers that swayed in the breeze. Pip poked his head out and squeaked with joy at the wide, open world. 8

Next, they came to a rushing river. Mia looked for a way across. 'How will we get over?' she wondered. Pip pointed his tiny flipper at some stepping stones. Mia carefully hopped from stone to stone, holding her satchel tight. The river splashed her red boots, but she didn't slip once. 'Almost there,' she told Pip with a grin. 9

Beyond the river, the path grew steep and rocky. Mia climbed slowly, her breath puffing. Pip blew a bubble that popped on her nose, and she laughed. 'You're a funny whale,' she said. At the top of the hill, they stopped to rest. Mia shared a snack with Pip, and he tried to nibble a crumb. The sky turned orange and pink as the sun began to set. 10

Then Mia heard a distant sound like a giant breathing in and out. She climbed over one last hill, and there it was—the enchanted ocean! It sparkled under the evening sky, wider than anything Mia had ever seen. 'We made it, Pip!' she cried. Pip's sea glass eyes grew big and bright. He wiggled out of the satchel and squeaked with all his might. 11

Mia carried Pip down to the water's edge. The waves whispered softly on the shore. 'This is your home now,' she said gently. Pip looked back at her with grateful eyes. He nuzzled her hand and blew one last perfect bubble. Then Mia set him down, and Pip slid into the sparkling sea. The water around him shimmered with magic. 12

Pip dove into the waves and swam in happy circles. His tiny spout shot a spray of silver water. 'Look at him go!' Mia cheered. Pip leaped and played in the enchanted ocean, no longer sad or cramped. Mia clapped her hands, and her bright open smile stretched from ear to ear. She knew she had done something truly good. 13

As the sun dipped low, Mia waved goodbye. 'Goodbye, Pip!' she called. 'I'll never forget you!' Pip popped his head above the waves and squeaked a joyful farewell. His slate blue skin glowed in the fading light. Mia felt a warm glow in her heart. She had helped her friend find the perfect home, and that made her happier than anything.