William Taylor lives with his parents in Allymera Bay, famous for its spectacular sunsets and beautiful beaches. He's enjoying his summer because he gets to spend plenty of time out on the water, swimming and surfing. He knows these waters like the back of his hand-or so he thinks. One day, he befriends two very interesting sea creatures named Silva and Bubbles-and they need his help. Suddenly, William's usually quiet world is turned upside down by his new friends. During this strange and beautiful encounter, William makes a promise to help them save Delphi Island, their home. And in the adventure they share, an unusual friendship is born. It's going to take all of their courage and faith in each other to see the adventure through. They're learning that the quest is much harder than any of them initially thought, but together, they know they're all better and stronger and braver. Given the enormous task at hand, can William keep his promise and help his friends save Delphi Island, their beloved home? Theirs is a magical story about friendship-and believing that anything is possible.

Ocean Blue

Delphi IslandBy Mia Matic

Balboa Press

Copyright © 2012 Mia Matic
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4525-0640-1

Chapter One

What a magnificent sight Delphi Island is! thought Bubbles as he swam towards his beloved home and sighed. It was nearing nightfall and the sun had just set behind the island. The orange afterglow was still visible in the sky and it illuminated the island, making the island appear mystical. The island, his beloved home, was in trouble and he wasn't sure who to ask for help, let alone how to help. Another day will go by, he thought bitterly and yet still no solution to the problem that threatens the existence of my home. Once the island stood in all its glory—appearing magical, even—as a beautiful, clean, undisturbed island that vibrated clear energy. Now it looked unclean with all the rubbish piling up on the rocks that surrounded the island. It was dirty and uninviting and killed all that got in its way, discriminating against none.

Bubbles remembered when the island buzzed with visitors. They were all friends: seals, otters, whales, turtles, sea lions, dugongs and even sharks, just to name a few. Now these friends didn't stop at Delphi Island anymore for fear of getting sick—or worse—from the unnatural items that turned up from the mainland. Allymera Bay was just across the water from Delphi Island and the bay inhabitants had pretty much left the island on its own. However, the items that were thrown into the ocean by the people ended up on Delphi Island. These items caused sickness and even death to some unsuspecting and curious sea creatures.

Bubbles arrived just in time for the gathering where the elder dolphins had assembled to discuss the challenge of clearing the rubbish. Bubbles noticed that all who loved and cherished Delphi Island were present and there were quite a number of participants. His heart swelled with pride at his community.

"We have called a meeting to agree on what action we shall take to protect our island from destruction," one of the elders began. "The rubbish that has polluted the ocean has somehow ended up here and we need to find a way to dispose of it and stop it coming with no harm to anyone here. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions this evening?"

Bubbles watched as a number of participants suggested a few plausible solutions. However, all were deemed unsuitable for the magnitude of the problem. Bubbles sighed and wished he had a suggestion.

The meeting went on for a while, but Bubbles was only half listening, as he was lost in thought. There must be a way to save our island. There must be a way! But how?

Bubbles was still thinking about a solution when the meeting came to a close with no definite action in place. Bubbles, feeling dejected, went home thinking, I must find a way!

Chapter Two

Bubbles arose from his rest excitedly, as he had a brilliant idea for how to save their island. However, he needed to get the appropriate people involved before he could bring his idea to the elders. He was certain that presenting the idea with no backup would prevent the elders from accepting the proposal. Bubbles knew deep down that the idea would work, but he needed to get things into place before the night's meeting.

Why he didn't think of it before baffled him, but it still felt like a sound and formidable plan to him. However, Bubbles wanted to be sure, so he asked his best friend, Silva, to go for a swim with him. He wanted to be out of earshot before he told her of his plan. Silva was always up for a swim and she sensed the excitement within him, so without any fuss they headed out to the deserted nearby reef.

After a preliminary but thorough check around, they were both content that no one was hiding or listening close by. "All right, Mr Excitement," said Silva cheekily, "what's going on? What plan have you hatched now?"

Bubbles laughed in delight and wondered how his friend knew him so well. Only the twinkle in his eye gave him away, but that was enough for Silva to realise he was up to something! Dear, wonderful Silva! What would he ever do without her? "Well," Bubbles said hesitantly, "I am not sure if this will work, but ..."

He looked straight at Silva, took a deep breath and told her of his plan quickly before he changed his mind.

When Bubbles was done, Silva looked at him—half in bewilderment and half in amazement—and said, "Well, if you can pull that off, it may actually save our island. It sounds like a great plan, Bubbles!"

Bubbles looked at his friend and said, "Yes, but you don't sound convinced, Silva." He knew his friend too well to know that she was not as convinced about the plan as he was and he wanted to know what Silva would object to.

"Well ..." Silva said slowly. She really wanted to support Bubbles in this "out there" but plausible plan of his, but there was one hurdle that seemed like a show-stopper already. "Do you know any person that could or would help?" She hoped she sounded a lot more optimistic than she felt, but she knew better than to drag Bubbles down, as once he had a plan in his mind, nothing could or would deter him from carrying it out. She should know. She once tried to stop him before but was unsuccessful. She learnt to be supportive and as adventurous as he was.

"Not right now, no. But that is half the fun. And actually, that is where you come in, as you intuitively know people's characters and natures within the first few minutes of meeting them," Bubbles said with a twinkle in his eye—the one that Silva knew would mean there was no point arguing with him!

If anyone had seen the two young dolphins together, he or she would think the two dolphins were enjoying the moment, talking, bantering, playing and having fun together. In reality, the two best friends were hatching a plan that, if carried out properly, would save their island—their beloved home!

Chapter Three

Why me? William asked himself for the millionth time as he sat on the beach while looking at the ocean, still in disbelief at what had happened that morning. What had started out to be his usual morning surf had turned into something very out of the ordinary. He had gone down to the beach early that morning to catch a wave and clear his head. Instead, he had made himself two unusual friends and allies. He made a promise that he wasn't sure he could fulfil. But he knew he would give it his best shot and he was waiting for a friend to deliver a message.

Was it real, or did I imagine the whole thing? William's head was swirling with questions. Why me? Why was I chosen? What makes me so special?

What kind of name is Bubbles, anyway? he thought crossly to himself. He thought of the way the two dolphins had appeared out of nowhere. They seemed to be swimming innocently beside him while he surfed. Then they came closer and closer until one toppled William off his board! He went crashing to the ocean floor and came up, gasping for breath, to find the two dolphins circling him in a way that made him even more unsettled. The dolphins were herding William towards the rocks. Strangely, the dolphins weren't even touching him; it was the current that pushed them along.

William was scolding the dolphins, saying it wasn't safe for him or them. He stopped in mid-sentence when out of the blue came the reply, "Yes, we know, but this is the only way we can talk with you!" He stared with disbelief at the two dolphins and then started to laugh as the dolphins looked kindly at him with their big, twinkling eyes. "My name is William. What's yours?"

The dolphin closest to William said, "My name is Silva and my friend here is Mahalo, which means gratitude in Hawaiian, but all our friends call him Bubbles."

William thought the conversation was a little strange, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what was strange about it. Silva said, "I would like to tell you something. Come with me."

She and Bubbles made their way closer towards the rocks that were looming over the ocean on the left side of the beach. William, at a loss for what to do, started to follow her on his board. Then it hit him—Silva was talking to him in his mind. Her soft, feminine voice came crystal-clear in his head and although he first spoke his thoughts aloud, she was communicating to him through thought rather than sound.

"If you don't mind me asking, do you communicate with all people through their minds, Silva?" he queried as thought rather than speaking aloud.

"No, I don't mind and yes," came the reply. "We dolphins communicate with you through thoughts rather than spoken words, so although you can hear us, it's through thought patterns, not voice patterns."

They swam in silence for a little while. Meanwhile, the dolphins had manoeuvred the trio to a quiet place near the opening of what William could now see was a cave and so he hopped up onto the rocks as soon as he judged it safe, pulling his surf board up onto the rocks with him. Bubbles and Silva remained in the water close enough for William to touch them if he wanted to, but he knew he wouldn't unless and until he was invited. That was the unspoken dolphin rule. He wasn't sure why he was here, which was a long way from his usual surfing spot, so he didn't say anything and waited for either Silva or Bubbles to speak first.

"We have brought you here because we would like to tell you something and we have a favour to ask," Silva thought to William.

"OK, ask away," William said to her.

Their conversation started with Bubbles telling William about Delphi Island. "Magic happens on Delphi Island. It is magical for both its inhabitants and sea and sky creatures alike and if you are lucky enough to find Delphi Island, it will take your breath away. It is also an amazingly peaceful, beautiful and sacred place, in which a serene calm feeling stays with you long after you return from visiting the island. Before I tell you about our quest to save Delphi Island, I must tell you a story about what happened to a friend of mine, Tales, so you will be able to see how you can help save Delphi Island.

I've known Tales the turtle since I was born. Everyone called him Tales because of the wonderful stories he used to tell to everyone who would listen about the big wide wonderful world out there, about the sea, the land and humans. It was a very sad time for me indeed, when a few weeks ago Tales got his neck stuck in this horrible white stretchy thing while swimming. We later found out humans call it plastic! We tried to pull it off his neck, as it was preventing him from being able to withdraw into his shell if he needed to protect himself. But to no avail. Tales was properly stuck in the white thing. He could have ended up being killed by a predator had it not been for a child playing on the beach one evening, who found Tales and took the plastic off his neck. For that, we are very grateful to that child for saving our friend.

When Tales told us what happened, my sadness turned to anger: Why do humans have such dangerous things? What is it, what is it for and why does it end up here in our beautiful ocean? It kills friends and foe alike. It does not discriminate. It just kills and will keep killing until all of it is removed from the ocean.

Unfortunately, all this plastic is now surrounding Delphi Island and is threatening the dolphins as well as all the other sea creatures: seals, penguins, sea lions and cubs alike as they mistake it for food and are slowly dying a horrible and unnecessary death."

Silva piped in at this point. "So can you understand now what our quest is William? We would like you to help us save Delphi Island by removing all the plastic in the water and help remove the plastic bags that have caught the sea creatures so they can live safely and in peace from now on. Will you please help us, William?"

Chapter Four

Silva and Bubbles both looked William straight in the eye when she asked for his help and waited for William to digest the information. William was shocked at first and then his mind went into overdrive. Not only had the two dolphins chosen this particular day to communicate with him, something he wouldn't have thought possible, but now they were asking for his help. William took a deep breath and cleared his head. He wasn't sure why Silva and Bubbles were asking him. He just knew that they needed his help and who was he to refuse to help someone when they needed it?

William had listened intently as Silva stated the quest and the assistance they required. William wasn't sure how he could help and he voiced his thoughts to the two dolphins as they eagerly awaited his response. Silva replied cryptically, "If you choose to accept this quest, then the help and pathway to follow will become as clear as daylight to you."

William looked Silva in the eyes and said, "Of course I will help you in any way I can. Tell me what you need me to do."

Bubbles and Silva cheered in delight.

Silva smiled and said, "Very well then. Make your way to the beach and wait for a message from Leo. Then come back here at sunset and we will be waiting for you. It will still be light enough for you to see where you are going but dark enough so that you will not be disturbed by the people at the beach."

And with that, Silva and Bubbles made their way out to sea, calling behind them, "See you at sunset!"

That is how William found himself sitting on the beach, waiting for a friend of the dolphins to deliver a message and wondering if he had just fallen asleep and dreamt it. The thought of, "Why me?" tossed around in his mind and as yet remained unanswered. William shook his head, pinched himself and, with his heart skipping a beat, he knew he had not been dreaming. It had been real, the chat with Silva and Bubbles was real, the threat to the dolphins and their home was real and therefore the quest he had signed up for was also real.

He sat up straight. Well, he thought, I won't give up without a fight! I have been asked to help and I will in whatever way I can. Now, who and where was Leo?

Chapter Five

Silva and Bubbles swam away from their meeting with William, excited at the possibility that their plan might actually work! They chatted nonstop as they headed straight to the elders to explain what their idea was and how they had spoken to William.

Bubbles and Silva noticed as they approached that the dolphin elders were in discussions about some ideas that had been put forth. Some of the elders were favouring one particular action plan, while others favoured another suggestion. But to Bubbles and Silva's delight, it seemed that no decision had yet been made. They still had time to put forward their case!

Bubbles had asked Silva to come with him, although Silva hung back a little as Bubbles approached the elders. He addressed the elders with respect and politeness as he asked for a few moments of their time. The elders were a little surprised to see the young dolphin, Mahalo; however, they quickly agreed to hear his idea.

They listened intently as Bubbles explained his idea, described his meeting that morning with William and gave the details of the proposed next steps. Upon his conclusion, Bubbles waited for the elders to speak, which was customary.

Bubbles noticed that most of the elders did not seem keen on his plan. When one of the elders did speak, it was to that effect and to say that they required some time to discuss the merits of the plan. They thanked Bubbles for bringing his idea to them and told him that they would get back to him.

Bubbles moved towards where Silva was waiting from him, when one of the elders asked to speak to him and Silva in private. Bubbles motioned for Silva to join them and when she did, the elder began to speak. "Mahalo and Silva, with all due respect, we wish to warn you of the dangers of being so close to humans. You are both young dolphins and have a high level of faith and trust in all—believing in the good of all sea creatures and humans alike. It is admirable; however, we have seen the scars that have resulted from humans hurting dolphins from things they call boats and nets and sometimes these humans have even tried to kill us. I am not saying that this so-called friend of yours that you spoke with this morning will try to harm you. We are just asking you to please take precaution when dealing with humans. As for your plan, Mahalo, we will consider it and get back to you."

Bubbles and Silva listened to the elder and thanked him for his time. They then swam back in silence to their hideout place, each pondering what the elder had told them. Silva looked over at her friend and saw puzzlement on his face and realised he was also having a difficult time understanding what he had been told.

Bubbles was in fact finding it hard to register what he had been told about humans and although he had not been in contact with other humans besides William, he still found it unfathomable that humans would hurt them on purpose.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Ocean Blueby Mia Matic Copyright © 2012 by Mia Matic. Excerpted by permission of Balboa Press. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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