The Road Not Taken

by True Miang

A look at one of the less appreciated people...er, dolphins...er, characters, and how he came to be.

The Road Not Taken

"Beep," said the console.

"Hmm," said little Franz. He prodded it with an elongated fin.

"Whirr," said the console.

"Hmmmm," said little Franz. He poked at it again.

Summer daylight waned, autumn cooled the ocean waves, and each day the growing dolphin would enter into private negotiations with his sound console, breaking away only momentarily to eat or wash. Once, Franz proudly returned home clutching a precious note from a well-respected Captain. The note exhorted local Men! of the Sea! to Join! his vessel's crew.

The excitement was short-lived, however: sunrise came, and the note had disappeared.

As had Hans.