Once upon a time, in the sparkling waters of Crystal Cove, there lived a little dolphin named Dolly. Dolly was a happy dolphin, but she had a secret wish: she wanted to jump high up into the sky, as high as she could, and touch the fluffy clouds. She often watched the seabirds soar above her and wished to be like them.
Dolly couldn’t wait to try. The following day, as soon as the sun peeked over the waves, she swam to her favorite jumping spot—a smooth, warm rock that jutted out of the water. Cheering her on were her friends, the friendly clown fish, the wise old turtle, and the swift escolar fish.
With a deep swish of her tail, she leaped as high as she could, but stopped halfway up. “What’s the matter?” squeaked the little clown fish. “You can jump much higher! Try again!”
“I don’t mind, Dolly, dear,” croaked the old turtle. “It’s a fine leap. I only wish I could do as much!”
“Go on, Dolly! Go on! Jump higher!” fluttered the escolar fish. “If you can’t reach up to the clouds, surely you can touch the sunbeams.”
So Dolly waited a little while for the rippling waves to calm, and then with a strong dash of her flipper she darted up and up, but again she stopped midway.
“Bravo! Bravo!” cried her friends. But Dolly was so absorbed in trying to reach the clouds that she did not hear them.
“That’s a splendid jump for a turtle!” pipped the little clown fish. “She always does it like that.”
But the wise old turtle shook his head. “Nay, Nay! Dolphins leap head first and are never known to miss their aim!” he slowly assert.
“Once more! Once more! Higher yet! Higher yet!” shouted the crowded school of fishes, who had gathered to watch an event of such great importance.
Dolly, who was nearly all out of breath, made a desperate effort, but alas! only reached the tops of the waves, and felt herself sinking. It was very disappointing indeed, as she had been trying all morning, but in her heart Dolly was quite happy when the wise old turtle said, “Remember, little dolphin, if you do not reach the clouds, you may try one day to touch the sun.”
Though she could not express her joy in words, Dolly surely meant, “I shall try again to-morrow!”