Petra's Duty
One of the pilot boats in the big Harbour is Petra. She's been in the harbour shorter than Pearl. She won't recall the mistake of being mistaken for a pirate ship when she first arrived. But she doesn't let that get to her nowadays. "It was a tiny mistake, Petra said to herself, "No big deal."
That's when Pearl floated up next to her. "So," said Pearl, "Are you ready today?" "Yes," Petra answered. "A lot of ships will be coming in today," Pearl said, "So we must be ready 100%." "Right," Petra agreed, "I'm ready now."
"Good," Pearl said, "I'll be busy with Millie, so I won't be able to help you much." "That's fine," Petra answered, "I'm ready." "Good said Pearl, "I wish you good luck." "Thank you," Petra said.
So at once, the tugboats were called to bring in a big container ship. "Right," said Petra as she set out with the tugboats. The first ship the tugboats had to bring in is Constantine. "So, Emily and George," Theodore said, "What kind of jokes did this ship told you?" "Well," said Emily.
"Time to go," Foduck called out, interrupting Emily. "We'll answer later," George said to Theodore. "Ok," Theodore replied. "What jokes?" Hank asked, curiously. After the tugboats had finished docking Constantine, a big container ship from Greece, they all returned to the Great Ocean Docks for a short break.
"Now can you tell me?" Hank asked again. "So, how did it go?" a familiar voice asked. "Oh, it went all right, Laurie," Theodore answered Laurie, a little girl whom Theodore had first met at the oil refinery. "I see," Laurie said, "A big ship?" "Why yes," Theodore answered.
By now, it's been a week since Theodore had decided to care for an abandoned lost girl named Laurie. Since he chose to take care of the little girl, Laurie has lived a happy life. Sometime she goes with Theodore when he's working. Other times, she just hangs around at the Great Ocean Docks, waiting for Theodore to return home.
Now most of the time, when Theodore is not working, He takes Laurie out on a little trip across the harbour to meet her new friends. But for now, the tugboats are taking a break.
One hour later, the tugboats were called to bring in another container ship. "Well," said Theodore, "Time to go." The tugboats set off. Laurie chose to stay behind once again. "Good luck, Theodore," she called out. The next ship the tugboats had to bring in was Kirby. "Let's go," Theodore said to himself. Petra was ready once again.
As so, the job went smoothly as the tugboats brought the ship in and docked him. "This is how Pearl does her work," Petra said. "Well, that is true," said Foduck.
After that, the tugboats took William B. out of the harbour to sea. "Take care now," Hank called out to the big ship. "Thanks," William B. answered back. "Now I understand," Petra said. Other ships came in an out that day and the tugboats took them in and out of the port.
But, for some of the ships, Pearl had helped guide the tugboats. As Petra continued to guide the tugboats she began to understand even more than Pearl. "It's all clear to me now," Petra said to herself as she helped guide the second to last ship out of the harbour.
"Good luck!" George called to the big ship as he left. "Do you think he has cheese?" asked Hank. It was sundown when the final ship left the Great Big Harbour. "Good luck, Olympia," Emily said to the ship. Petra watched the whole thing.
Later, everyone returned to the Great Ocean Docks. Petra decided to stop by when Pear arrived. "Hello," Laurie said to the two pilot boats, "Glad for you two to be visiting us." "Well," said Pearl, "Thank you." "Ok then," said the Dispatcher. "Petra," Pearl said, "You did great today."
"Thank you," Petra replied. "We're all proud of you," said Theodore, "Petra, you were great today." Yes!" Hank agreed. "It was nothing," Petra said. "Good," said Pearl, "And now, you are a full fledged pilot boat." "Thanks," said Petra.
Everyone in the Great Big Harbour are proud of Petra. "Congratulations for your friend," Laurie said. "It was years of work," Theodore answered. Petra just smiled. "It is worth having friends," she said, "Thank you."
Soon enough, Petra approached Millie who was just resting at her dock. "Millie," Petra said, "Thanks for saving my life from that firework display." "No problem," smiled Millie, "I can't let my friends get blown up for show, especially if they have a bright future ahead!" Petra smiled. "Yes," she replied, "Bright, indeed!" They both laughed.