It was the summer of 1987 in Perth, Scotland, and a young 7-year-old named Shellington Sea Otter struggled with controlling his emotions due to his autism. Whenever he became upset or encountered something he didn't like, he would have a meltdown. H...
Over the course of a month, Barnacles Jr. and Shellington forged a deep connection. Their days were filled with playful wrestling and engaging rounds of Super Mario Bros. on their Nintendo console. Yet, like any friends, they encountered conflicts. A recurring challenge was managing TV time and public conduct. Their discussions often revolved around their distinct personalities and how autism uniquely influenced them.
Barnacles Jr., for example, was generally composed in public despite his autism. His only bouts of distress occurred in cramped spaces, a phobia stemming from a harrowing incident in a narrow Arctic cave during a polar bear expedition. Trapped under the ice until his fellow scouts rescued him, he's since harbored an intense fear of confinement.
Shellington, affected by autism as well, was prone to meltdowns triggered by frustration or discomfort, and he harbored a fear of heights. This acrophobia originated from a childhood incident where he was stranded atop a tree, leaving him with a lasting aversion to elevated places.
In one intense gaming session, as they tackled a particularly challenging level in Super Mario Bros., frustration mounted. Shellington nearly reached his breaking point, controller in jeopardy, but Barnacles Jr. recognized the signs of distress. Together, they paused, breathed deeply, and counted to ten, defusing the tension. Opting for a change, they switched off the game in favor of some television, coincidentally tuning in during a commercial break.
Meanwhile, Bianca and Pearl experimented with children's makeup, their appearances reminiscent of clowns. This prompted Barnacles Jr. and Shellington to ponder the merits of makeup for garnering attention. Amidst this contemplation, Kurt burst into the room, his face alight with excitement, waving a paper triumphantly in his hand.
"Come one, come all! I've got something to tell you!" he announced with zeal in a tongue that rendered Shellington and Pearl utterly perplexed.
However, Barnacles Jr. and Bianca grasped his words without difficulty, and Barnacles Jr. couldn't resist a playful eye roll directed at his father.
"Dad... you've lost Shellington and Pearl," he articulated in impeccable French.
The polar bear's face turned a shade of red, realizing his faux pas in front of his son's companions.
"My apologies," he said, a touch embarrassed.
Then, to the collective astonishment of the group, Barnacles Jr. spoke up in a different language, showcasing a skill that left Shellington and Pearl in awe. It wasn't long before the entire Sea Otter and Polar Bear clans converged in the living room, buzzing with anticipation to hear the news.
"Kurt, what's the matter?" inquired Molly with concern.
Eyes twinkling and smiling wide, the polar bear father faced his family, eager to share the exhilarating news.
"Guess what, everyone? The Carnival of Stars, or as I fondly call it, Le Carnaval des étoiles, is taking place tonight just across the bridge in Perth!"
He revealed a stunning baby blue poster he had found in one of the local buildings, presenting it to his family. Their eyes widened in awe as they took in the image of the circus tent adorned with stars, eagerly reading the details of when the event would commence.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
