Nautilus Makes Friends
Like any other day, Nautilus the navy ship woke up and started his usual morning patrol. "Good morning," he said to Benjamin Bridge. "Morning," Benjamin Bridge replied. "What a nice day," Nautilus said to himself.
That morning, he teamed up with Constance, the coast guard ship. "Morning, Nautilus," Constance said. "Good morning, Constance," Nautilus said to Constance. The two ships started their patrol together.
It lasted for about an hour, then Constance left to take a break. Nautilus stayed behind to check for anything going on in the Great Big Harbour. Someone then floated by Nautilus. It was Rebecca, heading out on her ocean research.
"Hello, Rebecca," Nautilus called out to Rebecca. "Oh, hi," Rebecca called back. "You going ocean exploring?" Nautilus asked. "Sure," Rebecca answered. The two ships set out to an open part of the ocean. "What are we looking for out here?" Nautilus asked. "A pod of blue whales," Rebecca answered, "They're way too big to swim near the harbour. There they are!"
Rebecca and Nautilus looked at a giant whale leaping out of the water, did a spin in the air and splashed back down. The giant wave it made splashed the two ships. "I can see that," Nautilus laughed. Rebecca laughed, too.
The two ships enjoyed their time together. 2 hours later, Rebecca and Nautilus returned back to the big harbour. "Thanks for the trip," Nautilus said. "You're welcome," Rebecca said, "Want to come with me again soon?"
"Sure," Nautilus replied. "Deal," said Rebecca as she headed back to her dock at the Oceanic Institute while Nautilus decided to go on his own way.
Next, Nautilus spotted Digby laying new cables. "Hello, Nautilus," said Digby the moment he saw the navy ship. "Hello, Digby," Nautilus said, "Laying new cables?" "Yes," answered Digby, "Simple job. I do it all the time." "Ok," agreed Nautilus. "Care to watch?" asked Digby.
"Of course," Answered Nautilus. So Nautilus watched Digby lay his new cables along the coast. Soon enough, Digby finished laying his cables. "Hope we can do something together next time," Nautilus said. "We could," Digby said before setting off for home. "I would like to," said Nautilus.
Next, Nautilus inspected Bedford.
"How do you do, Bedford?" Nautilus asked the little bell buoy. "Doing good," answered Bedford, "Dinging away. Like I do." "Good," Nautilus said, "Keep up the good work." Nautilus was going to leave, but he changed his mind. "Bedford," Nautilus said to the little bell buoy. "Yes?" replied Bedford.
"Is it all right if I tell you a story about one of my missions?" Nautilus asked. "Eh, sure," Bedford replied, "I would like to hear one." "Now this one is classified," Nautilus said, "So you can't share it with anyone else." "My mouth is sealed for that," Bedford replied.
So Nautilus told his secret story to Bedford. "Wow," Bedford replied as Nautilus ended his story. "The ship was safe at last," Nautilus concluded. "Thanks for telling me that story," said Bedford, "I really liked it." "You're welcome," smiled Nautilus, "I'm off now. See you later." "Bye!" dinged Bedford as Nautilus left.
"What story?" Northumberland asked, cruising past Bedford. "A story that I made up myself," Bedford answered Northumberland, "Not worthy of listening to anyway." "If you say so," Northumberland said, leaving.
During the afternoon, Nautilus visited Celidith's Cove. There, Truro and Dorothy were relaxing. "Hello," Truro said when he saw Nautilus. "Uh, may I come in?" asked Nautilus in a shy tone of voice. "Sure!" replied Dorothy. Nautilus entered Celidith's Cove. "Nice place you've got here," Nautilus said.
"Thank you," said Truro, "We're glad to have a visitor today. We're not duty right now, so please enjoy your stay." "Yes, yes!" chirped Dorothy. Nautilus smiled and he did so. "Just relax and do nothing," said Truro.
An hour later, Nautilus decided to go somewhere else. "Thanks," Nautilus said, "That felt refreshing." "Thanks for staying with us," said Truro. "I feel brand new again!" Nautilus declared, "Thanks to that rest! See you later!"
Truro and Dorothy said their goodbyes and Nautilus left, only to run into Millie, who fishing out in the bay. Nautilus approached the fishing trawler. "Oh, hello," Millie said, "What a surprise." "Yes, it is," Nautilus said, "I see that you are doing a good job." "Yes," answered Millie, "I've caught a lot of fishes, you see."
"Right," agreed Nautilus, "Keep up the good job." "I will," Millie replied. "So, Millie," Nautilus said, "Have you been enjoying life in the big harbour so far?" "Yes," answered Millie, "I have, thank you. But I had a mishap when I first came here." "Yes, I know," Nautilus said, "I've heard it from Pearl." "Ok," said Millie.
"What was it like for you before you came to live here?" Nautilus asked. "Well, it wasn't easy," answered Millie, "You see, I couldn't see very well. And I kept making mistakes." "Ok, you don't have to tell me anymore," Nautilus interrupted Millie, "I'm sorry that I asked."
"Oh, you don't have to say sorry about it," Millie replied, "It's all right for me." "But now, things are different for you," Nautilus said. "Right," agreed Millie, "I had help from my friends, and now, I'm really useful!"
"That's good to hear," Nautilus said, "I must go now." "Take care, Nautilus," Millie said as the navy ship departed. On his way back to the navy yard, he decided to talk to Lily lighthouse, getting ready to turn on her light, like she always does before nighttime.
"Hello, Nautilus," Lily said, "Nice to see you." "Of course," said Nautilus, "Getting ready for your job?" "Yes," answered Lily, "I'm getting ready to turn on my light and sound my foghorn." "Good for you," replied Nautilus, "I must leave you to your job."
Nautilus prepared to leave. "Wait," Lily said. "Yes?" replied Nautilus, "I've heard that you've been telling Bedford a secret story," Lily explained, "I didn't hear it correctly, just to let you know, and now you're talking to me. It is amazing that you're making friends today."
"I see," Nautilus replied, "Bedford, of course, you, Rebecca, Digby, Truro, Dorothy, and Millie. I have made friends today." "Good for you," smiled Lily, "Time for me to start. Hope we can talk again real soon." Lily turned on her light. "I hope so, too," Nautilus said, "Including everyone else, too."
By the end of the day, Nautilus returned to his dock. "That felt great," he thought, moving alongside to his place, "I've made many new friends today." Then he saw Northumberland the submarine setting out for his night patrol.
"Yes," Nautilus thought, watching the submarine leave, "It does feel good." He fell happily asleep. The next morning, however. "Huh?" Nautilus replied the moment he got an urgent call, "Help needed in a Maine Harbour? I'm on my way!" Nautilus immediately left the big harbour.
Constance, who watched as Nautilus left the Big Harbour was thinking about something. "Hey, said Digby as he steamed up to Constance. "Oh, hi, Digby," Constance replied, startled, but calm. "I can sense something," said Digby. "What, Digby?" Constance replied.
"You are," Digby began, "I think." "Yes," Constance replied, interrupting the old cable ship, "I know what you're thinking. Yes." "Oh my starfish and jibberty-spiggotty!" Digby exclaimed, "You're in love with Nautilus!" "Yes," Constance replied, "But not too loud!"
"I knew it!" said Digby. "Ever since we've met," Constance said, "On that big ocean mission. Long ago." "Then why don't you tell him?" Digby asked. "When he comes back," Constance replied, "I will." "Oh good," said Digby. Soon enough, both left for their jobs. "I will," Constance said to herself.