It was a picturesque summer morning; the water was warm and calm as the sun’s rays danced and sparkled beneath the surface. Kairo watched as the pod frolicked and swam about not a care in the world, except for young Misu. While the other calves zipped and splashed, practicing their flips above the water’s surface, Misu kept his distance, secluded in the shadow of a nearby rock. As Kairo made his way over to the youngest member of the pod, Maia stopped him.
“Are you going to check on Misu?” she asked. “I was worried he was all by himself,” he replied. Maia then explained that Misu had hurt his fin the night before and was too embarrassed to play with the others.
“He admires you. Perhaps you can help cheer him up,” she said.
“I have an idea, but I could use your help, and Neri’s,” said Kairo before swimming off to find the elder.
Later that afternoon, Kairo gathered Maia, Neri, and Misu together. He assured Misu that while a hurt fin was nothing to be ashamed of, he knew of a remedy to help ease the pain.
“Maia, you are the best navigator in the pod. Can you lead us to the coral reef?”
The current was favorable, and with Maia’s clever skills, they soon were surrounded by a kaleidoscope of colors.
“What is this place?” Misu asked.
“It’s the coral reef,” replied Neri. “Dolphins have been coming here for years to heal ailments. This knowledge has been passed down through the pod, and now it’s your turn to learn.”
Neri led Misu through the coral and showed him which places soothed the ache and which waters cleansed the wound. Maia showed him how to find the reef again by reading the current. Kairo swam beside him and said,
“Remember: the one who is helped today may become the helper tomorrow.”
And Misu understood. He was not brought to the reef because he was weak, but because he belonged. From that day forward, whenever a calf drifted into the shadows, Misu was the first to swim near and say,
“Come. I know the way to healing.”
