Bye, Dad! I’m off to explore!
Ah, I am so happy the fun is about to begin!
Oh hello, dog. My name is Mary, and you? Well, actually, my name is Mary Marguerite Susan Romero Cortés Suarez De Francisco, but you can call me Mary. That’s what my friends call me. And you… you look like a Fabian, don’t you? No, more like a Raul or an Ignatius... I got it! You are Fraulnatius! A mix of Fabian, Raul, and Ignatius! Ha ha! Do you like it? Alright, I’ll call you Frau.
You’re wagging your tail! I knew we would be good friends. I have an idea! Would you like to be an explorer dog? I would love to have an adventure partner!
Just look at this paradise, Frau. There’s so much to discover! Streams from the jungle weave through large rocks and cross the beach until they reach the sea. On both sides, countless red crabs emerge from their holes, rolling small balls of sand to filter and eat the plankton trapped between the grains. Along the shore, you can see the trails of small snails and the footprints of birds of different sizes. Look at the horizon, small islands of rock formations seem to float in the sea, painted white by the color of their inhabitants, home to hundreds of herons.
Let’s go, Frau. Let the mission begin!
Well, I’ll tell you what it’s about. It’s a real mission impossible! Are you ready? Here it goes… We must find the most extraordinary animal in the sea! How about that?
Ah! What do you say, Frau? You don’t think we can make it? Come on, partner, you’re with me, and you know well that I am a true expert on the subject! And you, my loyal friend, are a good fighter, which won’t hurt if we encounter a giant megalodon, right?
My friend, you look pale. If I didn’t know you, I’d think you were scared. But the great Frau, the bravest dog of sea and land, doesn’t get scared. Even the most venomous snakes fear you! Of course, defeating a kraken is no difficult task for you. Or is it? Look, Frau, we’ve arrived! This small pool of water formed by the rocks will help us enter gradually. The tide roars loudly today and crashes against the shore. We must be very careful.
I’ll leave my explorer’s log book here on this rock. What is this? A bunch of hermit crabs! Extraordinary!
Did you know that as they grow, they change their shell for a larger one? They pick the shell they like the most and leave theirs for a smaller companion. They sure know how to share, huh?
Don’t bite my drawings, Frau! Be patient, I’ll show them to you at the end when I draw the most mysterious creature ever seen.
Can you imagine? It will surely have gigantic tentacles ending in pincers to capture and tear apart. Disturbing eyes that hide all the secrets of the ocean. Maybe a strong armor to protect its gelatinous interior. Its face will be horrifying, and its mouth will have a scary, mocking smile with several rows of huge fangs. And don’t forget its skin; it will have such a mystical color that to paint it, I will have to mix at least three of my crayons. Do you think it eats people? I am excited, my friend. I can’t wait to discover it!
Wait, Frau, you can’t just jump in like that! You’re always so hasty, partner, and I share your emotions, but we must prepare first. Remember, the ocean can be a dangerous place, and it’s important to always stay safe. We must consider the water current, temperature, and visibility to choose the right equipment and plan for our dive.
We’ll swim through beautiful coral landscapes and poke into never-before-explored caves to reach the unique and hidden place where our animal lives. Once we’re ready, nothing will stop us. We will see with our own eyes the wonders concealed in the depths of the ocean, and together we will discover its most unfathomable secrets.
Let’s see, in my backpack I think I have the necessary equipment:
• A good energy source.
• A weapon, just in case.
• Specialized vision goggles for ultra-secret sea missions.
Luckily I have two of these, my friend. Let’s go, I’ll help you put them on. I’ll attach a walkie talkie so we can talk, and that’s it. This equipment will be enough. Now, let the mission begin!
