The Shy Octopus

The Shy Octopus

Written by the CNA team

Way way down at the bottom of the sea, there lived an octopus named Eduardo. He loved to swim around and play by himself. He was very shy.

Whenever another fish came near, Eduardo would swim away, as fast as he could.

1

One day, when he was swimming away from a school of goldfish, he bumped into a jellyfish.

Startled, he said, “Oooh…. oops… uhhh…. I’m sorry.”

“Hi Octopus! My name is Penelope. I just found a cool looking sea cave. Want to go explore it with me?”

2

Eduardo wasn’t sure. Did he want to explore a sea cave? He was afraid of the dark and didn’t like dark places.

“Uhhh… I don’t know… Maybe... I’m a bit afraid of the dark and dark places,” he replied bashfully.

“That’s okay!” Penelope exclaimed. “I have this flashlight we can use in the cave!

It will make everything bright enough for us to explore! Do you want to come explore with me?”

3

Eduardo wasn’t sure. He looked to his left.

He looked to his right. He looked back at Penelope. She was smiling at him. She seemed very nice, but a sea cave still sounded scary. Penelope asked, “What is your name?”

“My name is Eduardo,” Eduardo answered. Penelope extended her jellyfish tentacles with the sea flashlight and said, “Eduardo, try out this sea flashlight. Tell me if that makes you feel more safe.”

4

Eduardo felt safer both with a new friend and a flashlight so he could see. Not wanting to seem frightened, he agreed to explore the cave with Penelope.

Swimming in the cave, they saw fish and other marine life that Eduardo had never seen before. He was so interested in the new sights, he did not realize how far into the cave both he and Penelope swam.

Around a dark corner inside the cave, Eduardo saw a pair of eyes shining in the light from the flashlight. Both he and Penelope stopped swimming and looked at each other. Both of their hearts started racing and Eduardo felt lightheaded.

5

They paused, suddenly afraid of the eyes staring back at them. Eduardo looked over at Penelope, who was trembling with fear. He gathered up his new found courage and said to the pair of eyes, "Hello? Who are you? We will not hurt you."

They then waited to see what would happen. Penelope hid behind Eduardo.

Then suddenly, the figure came out of the shadows and appeared to them. It was another octopus! The octopus timidly swam out into the light of their flashlight and said, "Heeelllllooo....I..I..I...I'm Isabel.

Do not be afraid of me."

6

Eduardo saw that Isabel kept blinking.

“Does the light bother you?” he asked.

“Yes, I live here in the dark and my eyes are not used to the bright light,” she said.

Penelope stopped trembling and carefully aimed the flashlight away from Isabel.

“Why do you live here in the dark?”

7

Isabel hid further in the cave and whispered to the two friends, “I’m scared to meet new people. If I stay here in the dark, it’s easier to hide if anyone comes near.”

Eduardo knew what that felt like.

He had avoided others too until Penelope came along.

8

In a soft voice, Eduardo said “I was scared too, until Penelope became my friend.

Friends help each other to be brave.

Would you like to be brave with us? You could hold the flashlight if you like.�

Eduardo grabbed one tentacle and Penelope grabbed the other. Together they started to explore.

9

Eduardo, Penelope and Isabel explored the cave together. They spotted starfish, anemones, and sea sponges. Then a big sea turtle swam by. At first the friends were a bit shy and frightened of a new animal. Then, Penelope said “I have an idea! Why don’t we say hello to that big sea turtle? If he says hello too, then we could make another friend.”

Eduardo and Isabel agreed that was a great plan. Eduardo remembered how brave Penelope was when she and Eduardo had first met. He decided to be the first to greet the sea turtle.

10

“Um, hi – hello – uh, n-n-n-nice to meet you. My name is Eduardo.” The turtle turned around and swam closer, and smiling, he said, “Well, hello there. Nice to meet you too! My name is Thomas.

Thomas the Turtle, at your service!”

He waved a flipper at the three friends.

Eduardo, Penelope, and Isabel all smiled and said hello. Eduardo introduced his friends to Thomas the Turtle. Isabel, feeling braver by the minute, piped up and said, “Mr. Turtle, would you like to explore this sea cave with us?”

11

Thomas the Turtle smiled happily and replied, “I would love to! Thank you for inviting me.”

Isabel reached out a tentacle and took Thomas’ flipper, and together all four friends went to explore the wonders of the sea cave.

12

This book was collaboratively written by the CNA team: Holly Livengood Brooke Corley Katie Bishop Mitch Roberts Sarah Juniper Lindsey McLean Starla Griffin Crystal Troutman Melinda Tucci Cover illustration by: Kate Tucci