Codi and Tamaka: the Lost Seal

'I'm sorry!' Codi replied, 'I'm running away, so I don't have to leave the island.' Her mum said, 'I will talk to you when you get home, Codi. Can you put your father on, please?' Codi passed the receiver back to her dad. 'Tom how did this happen?' 'Best to talk about it when we get home,' he said. 'She'll be okay with me for the day. See you tonight.' Her dad put the receiver back in place. 'Do you want me to help you fish?' asked Codi. 'No, I want you to sit right here, and not move,' he said. He picked her up and sat her on his chair. 'Now please stay put, Codi.' Codi tried to stay put, and she did for a while, but it was just too boring. Finally she moved to the bow of the boat, and looked out into the ocean. She thought saw something swimming near to the boat; as she looked closer she could see that it was a baby seal. 'Where are your parents?' asked Codi. The seal replied, 'I am running away.' Codi laughed. 'What's so funny?' said the seal. 'I am running away too,' said Cody. They both were laughing now. 'What's your name?' asked Codi. 'I'm Tamaka,' the seal replied. ‘Oh' Codi replied, 'what a pretty name!' 'And what’s your name?' said the seal. 'Codi. Why, that is an even prettier name.' 'Thank you,' said Codi. Tamaka asked, 'Why you are running away?' Codi began to tell her the story, about her father, and the fish, and that she did not want to leave the water, for she had always lived near the water. 'I could swim before I could walk. Besides, I know my parents would not be happy, and when they are not happy they fight. It makes me feel sad inside, sad and scared.' 'I know what you mean,' said Tamaka. 'My brothers fight with each other all the time.' 'Do they have money problems too?' asked Codi. 'We do not have money under the sea. They fight over fish.' 'Do you not have enough fish?' 'Oh yes, there are plenty of fish, they just want all the fish to themselves.' Codi heard her dad pulling another net in. She put her hands under her chin, and sighed. 'I wish we knew where the fish were, and then we would not have to move.' Tamaka said, 'I know where there are lots of fish.' Codi sat up straight. 'Where?' 'Out there,' said Tamaka. Codi put her chin in her hands again. 'We know that, but out there is a very big place.' Tamaka felt bad for Codi. 'Tell your dad to follow me. I will lead him to the fish, but he can only take what he needs.' 'Really?' Codi replied, 'You can find the fish?' 'Of course. I am a seal. I can smell them from a mile away. I just have to follow my nose. If your dad will follow me, we will all have a feast for tea!' They both laughed. Codi called out, 'Dad come over here. I have someone I would like you to meet!' 'Not now, Codi. I am busy.' 'But Dad...' He raised his voice: 'Not now!' Codi sat down in shock. That was the first time he had really yelled at her. She walked back to the stool on which he had placed her. Her dad felt bad about it, but he was so anxious to find fish that he did not say sorry. When he did finally turn around to see her looking gloomy, he walked straight over to her. 'I am sorry bud. I really need to catch some fish, and you know how important this is. 'But that is what I was trying to tell you. I made a friend. Her name is Tamaka.' Her dad stood up abruptly. 'Codi, I really don't have time to play.' 'Yes daddy I know!' Just then, Tamaka jumped up on to the side of the boat. 'I could find you a school of salmon, would that do?' Codi's dad said, 'Are you for real? That would be awesome!' Then he scratched his head, and said, 'What's going on? Seals can't talk!' 'Yes we can. We just choose not to talk to humans. Seals are scared that you will eat them.' They all laughed at this. 'If you promise not to eat me, I will take you to the salmon.' 'I promise never to eat you,' Codi's dad said. 'Okay' said Tamaka, 'then follow me.' Tamaka jumped back into the water. Codi's dad slowly turned the boat around and began to follow Tamaka. Codi sat down next to her dad and watched. 'Wow! Tamaka sure can swim fast,' her dad said, 'I don't know if Angel-Blue will be able to keep up.' After a while, Codi yelled out to Tamaka, 'How far do you think?' 'Not far. I can already smell them,' Tamaka yelled back. 'I hope she is right about this,' Codi's dad said. 'You're a good fisherman Daddy, but you haven’t had much luck. Maybe you've been fishing in wrong place. Codi’s dad thought about this. 'I've been fishing where they were last year, and the year before that.' 'Maybe the tides are going in a different direction this year.' 'Mm, well there has to some sort of reason for it.' Then he added, 'I just hope we do not run out of fuel.' A short time later, Tamaka stopped. Codi whispered to her dad, 'This must be the place!' Her dad stopped the boat's engine. Tamaka swam around to the side of the boat and said, 'Let me check, but remember: only take what you need.' 'Okay,' said Codi's dad. Codi smiled at him.