Маугли
The White Seal
AttheendofsixmonthswhatKotickdidnotknowaboutdeep-seafishingwasnotworththeknowing.Andallthattimeheneversetflipperondryground.
Oneday,however,ashewaslyinghalfasleepinthewarmwatersomewhereofftheIslandofJuanFernandez,hefeltfaintandlazyallover,justashumanpeopledowhenthespringisintheirlegs,andherememberedthegoodfirmbeachesofNovastoshnahseventhousandmilesaway,thegameshiscompanionsplayed,thesmelloftheseaweed,thesealroar,andthefighting.Thatveryminuteheturnednorth,swimmingsteadily,andashewentonhemetscoresofhismates,allboundforthesameplace,andtheysaid:"Greeting,Kotick!Thisyearweareallholluschickie,andwecandancetheFire-danceinthebreakersoffLukannonandplayonthenewgrass.Butwheredidyougetthatcoat?"
Kotick’sfurwasalmostpurewhitenow,andthoughhefeltveryproudofit,heonlysaid,"Swimquickly!Mybonesareachingfortheland."Andsotheyallcametothebeacheswheretheyhadbeenborn,andheardtheoldseals,theirfathers,fightingintherollingmist.
ThatnightKotickdancedtheFire-dancewiththeyearlingseals.TheseaisfulloffireonsummernightsallthewaydownfromNovastoshnahtoLukannon,andeachsealleavesawakelikeburningoilbehindhimandaflamingflashwhenhejumps,andthewavesbreakingreatphosphorescentstreaksandswirls.
