from A Grandpa's Notebook, Meyer Moldeven
It's a beautiful morning to go sailing, Suzanne began the telling. It's Dad's vacation and we're going to Snug Harbor.
We load Snow White- that's the name of our sailboat, you know-with suitcases and boxes of food. We take our special toys and lots of other things for a long stay. When we are all ready, we cast off.
When we're far enough away from the slip, Dad hoists the sail. The breeze fills the sail and we head out to sea.
Roger and I sit with Dad at the helm to steer and Mother goes below to make sandwiches. We all wear life jackets. That just makes good sense, like wearing seat belts when you're riding in a car.
The sea is gentle and we're moving right along. Roger is looking out to sea as Dad and I talk.
Suddenly Roger shouts and points.
'Look. Dad. Suzanne. Look.'
'Where?' I ask. 'What do you see?'
'There, there,' Roger shouts, and points again. 'Do you see them?'
'See what?' I'm excited, but I don't know what to look for. 'Tell me what you're pointing at, Roger.'
'Dolphins. They're jumping out of the water and diving back in again. There. He points off the bow.
I look again, real hard, and I see what Roger is pointing at. A school of dolphins, leaping.
'Dolphins are mammals', Dad says, 'and different from fish. They're also very intelligent and friendly. Wave at them. Maybe they'll come closer and leap near the Snow White.'
So Roger and I wave at the dolphins and call out to them. 'Come on over,' we shout.
They must hear us because they change direction and jump and dive in our direction. When they're close they turn and swim alongside. Mother comes up and holds on to us as we lean against the rail and wave and call out to them.
The dolphins stay with us most of the way to the island. About a mile offshore they turn away. We're sorry to see them leave. I guess it's time for them to head for home.
'That was our first adventure of the trip. Would you like to hear about another one?'
'Sure would,' I said.
'OK,' said Roger. 'Let's meet here tomorrow, and I'll tell about our sailing into the harbor.'
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