Rough Seas

It was a day like any other in the Tasman Sea, I was hitching a ride with my buddy, Sam, along the East Australian Current. We sailed along, his powerful tail pushing us closer to our destination. I could feel my pal was a little nervous about our endeavor but I detached for a moment to assure his worried mind,

“Sam, don’t be nervous, this place will help you, I just know it! There will be many like you there.”

“Are you sure Remy? I don’t know, maybe I should just embrace the status of my kind and get on with it? If I’m going to be boxed into a corner, might as well live up to the hype.”

I could hear the shakiness of Sam’s voice as he dove back into his unpleasant emotions.

“Hey! Would I steer you wrong pal? Heck no, you’ll see!”

We finally made it to the location where the Serene Seas Support Group would be holding their monthly meeting. I had heard of this meeting from a friend of a friend while hanging around the reef and thought, what a better way to get my best pal out of his funk!

A large, old Green Turtle, peacefully hovering over a seamount, nibbling at some algae and seagrass, took notice of our arrival and gently glided in our direction.

“Hello, friends, are you here for the meeting?”

His voice was weathered and hoarse, giving away his years.

Sam was hesitant as he spoke but I gently nudged him with my fin to encourage him along.

“Yes, well I am, this is my friend, Remy, and I’m Sam.”

The old turtle squinted his eyes, sizing up Sam and smiled kindly,

“ My you are a biggin’ aren't you? You’ve come to the right place, sit tight the others will be filtering in soon.”

Sam hovered in his spot while I eyed around, looking for signs of any others when a dark shadow, ominously slid far beneath me. I tapped Sam on is pectoral fin and alerted to a fellow arrival. As the creature came closer into focus, the dark markings on its body, became clearer as did the white patches by its head and back.

Sam became agitated and frightened as the huge Orca sped closer to the surface.

“Remy, I know I have the moniker of man eater but even we Great Whites have our fears.”

“Relax friend, your liver isn’t on my menu today.” The massive Orca quipped.

“The rules of nature don’t apply here Sam,” I cooed, trying to calm his nerves.

Before long our small quartet grew, a Saltwater Crocodile, Bull Shark, Box Jellyfish, Mantis Shrimp, and lastly a Blue Ringed Octopus joined our ranks.

“Well hello friends and welcome once again to our meeting of like minds! Many of you are returning members and today it seems we have a few new faces! I’m Teddy, your meeting supervisor and guide to a better, happier you.”

The old turtle went about explaining the rules while in the meeting and the expectations set amongst the group. I could see Sam relax a little as he scanned the other marine life. Such an eclectic group for sure, varying sizes and backgrounds but a common thread amongst them all. Insecurities about their reputations from the rest of society and those flat footers on land.

“How about you sir, tell us your name and occupation and a little about why you’ve come today.”

Sam cleared his throat and swam to the center of the circle, his size and ominous appearance doing nothing for his nerves.

“Uh, I’m Sam, great white, as you uh, can see. I, well, I have been having a hard time with the opinions and stereotypes of my kind. It’s been weighing me down really, so my remora friend here, Remy, convinced me to come.”

A mumble of “Hello Sam” bubbled through the water.

“How lovely, good job Sam.” The old turtle exclaimed. “Now, how about you friend, tell us about yourself.”

All eyes turned to the Bull Shark, he aggressively took Sam’s place in the center of the circle,

“I’m Bill. I’m a Bull Shark and I’m here for Coral Mandated anger management. I’m, apparently, a bit of a bully.” He threw his fins up in agitation and rolled his eyes as the words left his jaws.

“Well Bill, it’s a pleasure to have you here as well.” Teddy’s warm and inviting voice uttered.

I was so relieved to see Sam fully engulfed with their stories and fears. He quickly learned he was like them, he wasn’t alone in his feelings. He knew he wasn’t a mindless attacking machine and it was comforting to see the others acknowledge his insecurities as they too, shared their own.

“I guess, because I’m so small, I just over compensated with my strength. I mean, it’s a big ocean out there, we all know that! When you’re called shrimp your whole life you guard yourself, so I may be a little quick with the jabs sometimes. I’m not a bad guy though, sometimes it would be nice to be invited to do things among the sea bed. I do close myself off though, tucking away in my burrow. You know what, I’m going make that a goal, be more sociable, punch through my anti-social tendencies and show I’m more than this tough outer shell.”

I smiled at the Mantis Shrimp, seeing him come out of his shell was inspiring.

Teddy clapped his fins together and hollered in delight, “Amazing, I see so much growth from you friend! You’ve come such a long way since your first meeting. Congratulations.”

Manny left the center and took his place back in the ring, Bodi the Box Jelly pulsated his way to the center to take his turn. Watching him move was mesmerizing, I’ve lived in the ocean my entire life but it’s many creatures never ceased to amaze me. Bodi was a glorious vision, his large bell followed by billowing ribbons of deadly tentacles, gracefully dancing in the current.

“Yea, take care of those, don’t want an accident today, do we?” Bodi quipped as he took command of the conversation.

“So, I’m Bodi, I’ve got a bad reputation among the flat footers, as deadly, though I feel that’s a harsh over simplification. I mean, I believe in the last 100 years around 60 flat footers have been caught in the crossfires of my kind. What is even worse, those land dwellers are causing an increase in our home temperatures which cause us to occur longer in their comfy coastal waters. I mean, I have a short life span and I’m trying to live my life here, you know? I’m just trying to do me while I have the time, those flat footers just put me in this box! I’m so much more than the “world’s most venomous jellyfish.”

Bodi began to sob, hysterical at the pressures of society. His motions becoming increasingly more agitated.

“Thank you Bodi, well, I can say with confidence, we see you, we hear you, and we appreciate you.” Teddy encouraged the group to chime in. Bodi swam back to his spot, relief washing over him.

Teddy waved the next participant on. Calvin paddled his way into the center ring.

He was monumental in size and, I can’t lie, a shiver ran through my gills. Prehistoric was the best description. Bumpy, rough skin accentuated his murky green hue and those teeth were a foreboding sight. I can see why his kind are known for having the strongest bite in the animal world.

“As you all know, I am Calvin, I am here because like many of you, I have a nasty reputation. Flat footers have hunted my kind for decades, destroying our young, even eating our eggs and us! They make bags out of my mates! Can you blame us for being a little aggressive? I mean, I lost a good mate because of those monsters, all for what? Shoes! It’s inhumane, but I’m a terror? I know I should have a thick skin but I’m just so angry.” Calvin thrashed his tail from side to side, the woosh of the water strongly whipping us about. He snapped his jaws, before calming down once again, composing himself.

Teddy’s calm voice dissipated the temperate waters, bringing everyone back to serenity and peace. “It’s ok to feel these things, isn’t it?” He nodded towards the group, giving a tender smile. “Yes, you are all allowed to feel the array of emotions you have. They are legitimate and come with merit. Octavia, how about you, what is on your mind today?”

The tiny octopus timidly made her way center stage. For such a beautiful creature she was quite shy and docile. Her voice was subdued and soft as she spoke,

“Um, hi. I’m Octavia, I’m a Blue Ringed Octopus and we, like so many of you, also have a bad rap. I do my best to stay out of the limelight, but we live in an imperfect world and mishaps do happen.” She was met with a mumble of agreeing voices, which gave her more confidence as she spoke.

“Like so many, I don’t go looking for trouble. I try to stay quiet and to myself but sometimes I just have to defend myself. Flat footers or enemies think, well isn’t she just so cute, look how unassuming, well it’s frustrating. Yes, I’m small and cute! But by guppy, when I feel threatened I just have no choice but to show my true colors! Um, well thank you all for listening, and Bodi, your story resonates so strong with me. We venomous guys and gals need to stick together.” She outstretched a tiny arm towards Bodi in a show of solidarity as she swam back to her spot. Her little arms, waving in contentment as she moved.

“Lovely my dear! Such a strong heart, don’t you all agree?” Teddy chimed in.

“Kora, would you like to finish our meeting out today?”

The massive whale propelled front and center. She certainly had that matriarchal presence and was stately in nature.

“I’d just like to say, I’m very proud of every one of you. It’s not easy expressing ourselves, especially in a group setting but you all did and it was inspiring to see. Thank you for your vulnerability and candor. I hope to see you and many others here again. You’re all my surrogate pod. I know having the word killer in my name can be intimidating, but even apex predators have insecurities. Flat footers lock my kind in cages and use them as show pieces.” The matriarch trailed off, a tidal wave of emotion flooding her voice.

“However, let us all remember that we are more than what meets the eye, and we are all vital and important. Don’t ever forget that.”

Kora’s words left the group with a renewed sense of self, and they clapped in reverence. Teddy once again took command of the meeting,

“Bravo! What lovely sentiments Kora! I think this is a lovely place to end today’s meeting. Until next time everyone.”

The group began their treks back from whence they came. Slipping into the briny abyss around them, until they were no longer visible. Sam, seemed to cut through the current with a new sense of confidence.

“So, did you enjoy it?” I curtly asked him.

“I did, thank you, Remy for pushing me to come. I think I’ll go again.”

I smiled, “You’re important to the world Sam, we all are, some of us just need a reminder here and there. No matter where the seas take you friend, your presence is vital.”

I hugged him tightly, as we slipped further down into the deep.

“So Remy, where to next?”

“Anywhere you want Sam, the world is our oyster!”