KidZone Maritime History
The Whale
Setting: Bay of Biscay, 12th Century
The waters of the Bay of Biscay were home to many whales, and among them was a young right whale named Nereida. She swam close to her mother, a wise and immense matriarch who had guided Nereida through the vast ocean since birth. Her mother's size and strength had always been a source of comfort and security, a constant in the ever-changing seascape.
One calm morning, as the sun's rays filtered through the clear water, Nereida and her mother glided near the surface, feeding on the abundant plankton. The tranquility of the day was suddenly shattered by an unfamiliar and menacing presence. Nereida sensed it first—a faint vibration that grew stronger, accompanied by splashes and sharp, cutting noises.
Her mother, who had encountered such threats before, immediately recognized the danger. "Humans," she rumbled, her deep voice vibrating through the water. "Stay close, Nereida."
Before they could react, the humans were upon them. Nereida saw their small boat, propelled by long, slender limbs, closing in on her mother. She felt a surge of panic as she saw one of the humans stand and hurl a long, sharp object. The harpoon struck her mother with a sickening thud.
Her mother bellowed in pain, her massive body convulsing as she tried to shake off the harpoon. Nereida swam frantically around her, desperate to help but powerless against the humans' weapons. "Mother!" she cried, her voice a mix of fear and anguish.
Her mother began to swim, faster than Nereida had ever seen her move, trying to escape the agonizing pull of the harpoon. The humans clung to their boat, dragged along in a chaotic chase. Nereida followed, keeping close, her heart pounding with every thrash of her mother's powerful tail.
For hours, the struggle continued. Nereida's mother dived deep, hoping to find refuge in the dark depths, only to resurface, gasping for air and splattering the water with her blood. Nereida could see the exhaustion in her movements, the once-unstoppable force now weakened by pain and fatigue.
As the day turned to dusk, her mother's movements grew slower, her strength ebbing away. Nereida felt a crushing sense of helplessness, knowing she could do nothing to stop the relentless pursuit. The humans, persistent and relentless, were closing in for the final blow.
In a desperate final act, her mother lashed out with her tail, striking the humans' boat and shattering it. The humans were thrown into the water, their cries mingling with the sound of splintering wood. For a brief moment, Nereida felt a flicker of hope. But the damage had been done, and her mother, grievously injured, struggled to stay afloat.
With the humans now struggling to survive, Nereida swam to her mother's side. "We need to go," she urged, nudging her mother gently. Her mother's eyes, once full of wisdom and strength, now looked at her with a mix of pain and resignation.
"I cannot," her mother whispered. "I am too weak. You must leave me, Nereida."
Tears mixed with the saltwater as Nereida nuzzled her mother's massive head. "I won't leave you," she sobbed, but her mother gave a gentle push.
"You must survive. Swim far and find safety. Remember me, and be strong."
With a final, heart-wrenching glance, Nereida obeyed, swimming away with a heavy heart. She watched from a distance as her mother, struggling with her last ounce of strength, finally succumbed to her injuries and slipped beneath the waves.
Nereida swam alone through the vast ocean, the loss of her mother a constant ache in her heart. The once vibrant and comforting world now felt empty and cold. She traveled far, carrying the memory of her mother's courage and sacrifice with her.
In the years that followed, Nereida grew into a powerful whale, much like her mother. She navigated the dangers of the ocean with a wisdom born from her loss, always wary of the humans and their deadly harpoons. Her mother's legacy lived on in her, a reminder of the resilience and strength that defined their kind.
Though the pain of that fateful day never fully faded, Nereida found solace in knowing that she carried a part of her mother with her, guiding her through the endless expanse of the sea.