illustrations by Doris Thomas
translated from German by Christine Sawinski
2nd edition 2017
© Doris Thomas, Germany, 2014
Text and illustrations of English version
Homepage: www.Doris-T.de
German original edition: Delfin in Not, © Verlag an der ESTE, Germany
photos: Richard O'Barry, credit David Higgs (permission given by EII)
Dr. Ingrid N. Visser (permission given by Dr. Ingrid N. Visser)
logos:with kind permission of owners
Production and Publisher/Herstellung und Verlag:
BoD – Books on Demand GmbH, Norderstedt
ISBN 978-3-7386-8335-6
All rights reserved. No parts of this book may be reproduced.
Many young people like you have asked me how to become a dolphin trainer, like you see on television or at aquariums. I’ve caught and trained many dolphins, and I learned early on that dolphins belong in the ocean with their families, not in captivity.
You may think dolphins are happy in captive tanks, but they are not. They are used to the wide oceans and swimming long distances every day. They are used to being with their mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers.
How would you feel if some alien picked you out of your house and put you in a small cage for the rest of your life, never to see your family again? That is how dolphins feel.
We can enjoy dolphins in their ocean homes. We should not be catching them and keeping them for our own selfish pleasure.
Don’t you agree?
Richard O’Barry, 2013
photo: David Higgs (with kind permissionof Ell to use)
“Wake up, you sleepyheads. We’re there.”
Their mother’s voice interrupted the twins’ sleep with a jolt. Julian rubbed his eyes. Then he put on his glasses. Sophie stretched herself as far as this was possible in the back seat of the car. She yawned loudly and mumbled, “About time, too!”
The family had had a long drive. Because their parents couldn’t get any time off work, Julian and Sophie were allowed to spend their holidays with Uncle Richard and his wife Ingrid. They left the main road and drove slowly along the bumpy drive leading to the house. Gravel was crunching underneath the wheels. “Honk your horn, Daddy, to let them know we’re here!” Julian begged. His father honked loudly. “We’re here!” they all shouted and laughed.
When they had almost reached the house, a woman appeared in the door. She gave them a friendly wave and was all smiles. Full of curiosity the children put their heads through the gap between the front seats. They wanted to see who they were going to spend their holidays with. “I hope that Aunt Ingrid is nice” Sophie said while the blond woman was running towards the car. Her mother laughed. “Of course she’s nice, I’ve spoken to her many times on the phone. You’ll like her. She teaches a fourth grade so she knows all about children of your age. And Richard wouldn’t have married her if she wasn’t nice.”
The parents greeted Ingrid with a hug. But Sophie’s and Julian’s attention was captured by something else. How could they have missed that they were on the coast? The ocean was right in front of them. “How lovely!” Sophie gushed. Her brother agreed. “It’s really cool!”
Before the children even knew what was happening, their aunt had welcomed them with a warm hug. “Well, you must be tired and hungry. I’ll just show you where your room is and then we’ll have coffee on the patio. I also have hot chocolate and cakes on offer. I’m afraid Richard will be home very late from work.”
The twins were thrilled. Their room had a large window with a sea view. The beds were chosen quickly. They had to share the large, heavy wardrobe. The walls were covered with pictures of marine animals, some of which Julian and Sophie did not know. Their new home immediately felt cosy and familiar, as if they had been there before. Even so, the room had an enchanting and foreign quality.
When they were all sitting on the patio and enjoying the cakes, Richard came home. There was more intense hugging and squeezing. Richard’s body was well-toned. Sophie was almost afraid he might crush her with his muscular arms. But her uncle was very careful. Then he put an arm around Julian’s shoulders. “Men hug differently, don’t they?” Julian grinned a bit sheepishly.
When they had all had enough to eat, Ingrid showed the children the rest of the house. The kitchen, living room, storage room and a small bathroom were on the ground floor. A large bathroom and Ingrid’s and Richard’s bedroom were on the first floor. “And this is Richard’s office,” Ingrid explained. The twins gave the computer a knowing look.