Sea Cucumber at the Bottom of the Ocean

I Have a New Friend

"Ou- what did you say your name was?" I ask the seahorse. And wait, did he say something about us being friends? That quickly, my oceanic wishes can come true? Wow, I'm amazed! For a moment, I got lost in my thoughts. I'm pulled out of them by Ou-whatever his name is.

"Oulein. My name is Oulein." He responds softly, and it seems to me that he sounds a little downcast.

"Why do you say it so sadly?" I ask him.

"It's because even you can't repeat my name. I thought I finally found a friend, but now it looks like maybe not."

"No, wait," I stop him, "I just didn't hear you properly. What's wrong with your name? I think it's beautiful; it reminds me of the sounds of home. It feels so warm and familiar, like something I know from the ocean floor."

"Are you joking?" he replies in that disappointed tone again.

"No, and I don't know why I would be." I say, puzzled, as I slowly drift along the ocean, thinking that maybe he isn't interested in being friends with me...

But then Oulein stops me: "Wait, don't leave, okay? You see, most of the time in the ocean, I've come across creatures who found my name funny and liked to make rhymes out of it, like Oulein-Boulein, Oulein-Protein, and then they would laugh about it, and I didn't like that... I would always swim away so I wouldn't have to listen to them."

I don't move, I just listen to my new friend, understanding his pain. It's almost like I can feel it with him, but there's something I just can't agree with. "Look, I understand you, and I believe you don't like it when people say such things to you, but what if next time, instead of swimming away, you try telling them something? Maybe they don't know that even words can hurt. And if you don't have the courage yet to explain it nicely, I'll be here—your new friend—who will help and stand up for you. What do you say?"

"No one has ever said such kind words to me before, Froymi," Oulein responds, smiling again. "I think we'll get along well. I accept your help, and I offer you mine: you mentioned that you'd like to be as fast as the speedy fish, and I said that here anything is possible, and I meant it. But it won't be easy. I once heard about a magical pearl at the bottom of the ocean. A pearl that can grant you any wish. Maybe I didn't fully explain before what I meant by this ocean journey. It's a journey to find that pearl. It will be very challenging, maybe even dangerous. Even so, are you willing to go for it?"

"Yes," I reply again quickly without much thought. "Adventure has always called to me, but I've always thought I was too slow for it. Does my slowness bother you?" I hesitate for a moment, but looking at Oulein's sincere smile, I know we can handle it together.

"No." He responds firmly. "At least we'll have time along the way to really live through and enjoy everything." He adds with a smile.