Go Away
by Kristen

In the deep, warm waters of the Amazon sea, lived a manatee family. They were Alex, Joy, Stamp, and Sammy the family calf. Sammy was just born this spring. Stamp was born last spring, because manatee can only have one calf every year. Sammy loved his appearance. He was lead gray with a pink belly.

One day around feeding time, Sammy and the rest his manatee family were searching for water plants and fallen fruit, when they ran into Lobbi. Lobbi is their friend who is a lobster. Lobbi was in a deep panic.

"What’s wrong?" Alex asked.

" I was just down on the Far Side, next thing I see are two white bodies floating." Lobbi paused for a long time then said, " Lucy and Howard were shot today by hunters."

"Oh my," Joy gasped.She was very rueful.

" 1,900-2 = 1,898 more manatees left!" Alex exclaimed.

" Mom, why are we being hunted?" Stamp asked.

" For our skins," Joy said very upset.

" We have to stay alert and stay away from the Far Side," Alex said very firmly.

While the grown ups were talking Sammy went sightseeing. He saw clams in a circle, and baby whales with their parents, all having a good time. Then he looked back and his family was nowhere to be seen. Sammy panicked, "Mommy, Daddy, Stamp!" but the little manatee was not heard.

After awhile he started looking. He looked everywhere but he still couldn't find his family. Then he saw something up on a rock. He swam up to the rock and on the rock was a HUMAN!!!!

"Hello my name is Joanus, what is yours?" the human said enthusiastically.

When Sammy didn't answer, the human said, "Don’t worry I wont hurt you!"

"My name is Sammy," Sammy said.

"Oh and why are you as blue as the ocean?" Joanus asked.

" I lost my family and I can’t seem to find them." Was Sammy’s reply.

"Oh that’s horrible," Joanus said.

Then he said joyful," Maybe I can help, I’ll go get my boat. Lets go find them!"

A little while later, Sammy screamed, " Oh my, there they are!"

"Really?’ Joanus said happily.

"Yeah! Mommy, Daddy, Stamp, it’s me Sammy!" Sammy yelled with excitement.

"Sammy what are you doing with a HUMAN?" Joy asked surprised.

" Mommy meet Joanus. He helped me find you guys." Sammy said happily.

"I’m Joy. I am surprised you didn’t shoot Sammy." Joy said.

"I am against it but my father makes me go," Joanus replied glumly.

" How can we get them to go away?" Alex asked.

After a short 10 minutes Joanus said, "I have a plan to get them to go.

Stay right here I’ll be right back." It was a long time when Joanus returned.

"Joanus is that you?" Sammy asked full of grief.

"Yes," said Joanus.

"Hello," said Alex.

"The hunters are going away only, they need to shoot one more manatee." Joanus said firmly."Don’t worry I won’t let it happen." Joanus said.

"I have an idea," Sammy said. "Tell them that there is a better part of the ocean to hunt, which there really is not."

"I’ll go try," said Joanus hopefully.

Again a long time passed be fore Joanus came back. When he did there was humongous grin across his face.

"They are going away," said Joanus.

" Seriously?" asked Sammy happily. Joanus shook his head yes.

"You saved the manatees Sammy!" Alex said.

"I did?" Sammy asked surprised.

"Yes you did!" said Joy.

"I have to go pack now," said Joanus. Sammy started to cry.

"Please don’t go!" Sammy sobbed.

"I have to go but, I will never forget you." Joanus said sadly.

"Thank you," Alex said. "Good- Bye everyone," Joanus said.

"Good-bye," they replied. Joanus waved good-bye and rode away.

The next day everybody heard what he did from the local newspaper, " Manatee’s Rock." Everybody in the Amazon sea thanked him and called him a hero. Today he is still known in the sea.