Dolphin Day

    by Snipe

On The Island
the dolphin is a symbol
of Hope and new beginnings-
homes being festooned with carved
or painted dolphins

We of The Island
pay homage to our aquatic brethren
on this-

Dolphin Day

All Islanders
Human and Saurian
Dolphinbacks and Island born
give freely of any resource needed
for this massive undertaking

Huge
blocks of ice
are cut and taken by sled
to the base of The Forbidden Mountain
there to loaded into the back
of insulated wagons,
these are in turn driven to lakes
and stacked with fresh water fish-
a rare dolphin delicacy

Exquisite lilies and orchids
that grow only in The Rainy Basin
are harvested
(with much precaution)
to be taken to master weavers
in Treetown who fashion
elegant bouquets
that will float on the waves

All the schoolchildren
have been busy for weeks
creating massive floats
out of bamboo and vines
covered with a skin of papyrus
and painted brightly-
scenes depicting dolphins bravely
battling waves and sharks
to deliver shipwrecked humans
to salvation

These floats are anchored
just off shore
and surround The Island
in a festive embrace

Large floating docks
are built that extend off The Island
to take the Islanders out
to the deeper waters
where the dolphins feel safer

All wait in anticipation until
the first group is sighted
Cheers and music greet the sleek
racing guests of honor
as they soar through both air and water
to circle round their assembled friends

Present at each reception dock
is a translator Saurian who relays
to the dolphins the introductory speeches

After a tasty meal
of fresh water fish
the dolphins inspect and appraise each
of the children's floats-
giving compliments on form and color
through the translators

The Dolphinbacks of the area line up
while the assembled dolphins look them over
very carefully,
one by one
talking amongst themselves

This process may take several hours
dolphins going from one dock to another
until they find one of the Islanders
they personally saved
when the dolphins are satisfied
the translator steps in
to introduce the Dolphin
to the Islander
they exchange names
and tell each other a bit about themselves

There are craftspeople waiting nearby-
as soon as the names are matched
a pair of bracelets is made
each bearing the name of the other
the humans wear their's around the wrist-
the dolphins are secured around the base of the tail

These bracelets are a point of much pride
among the dolphins-
some of the older saviors wearing scores
those that have been damaged or lost
are replaced at this time

Dolphinbacks that know their friend by name
wait off to the side while the newer arrivals
are introduced-
this is always a time of much joy and tears
as the old friends catch up on the past year's
highlights

At night
the floating bouquets
are lit with candles and released into the Sea-
a final offering of thanks
to those that brought us home.

[Top]