A story for Luke & Clara
Love, Unlce Matt
It was three o'clock on Friday afternoon when all of the students from Taffy Town Sea School rushed out of class to welcome the weekend.
Treading patiently by the school gates,
Zeus waited to swim home with his friend Jasper.
"Hey, Jasper! What took you so long?"
"Hi, Zeus! I had to stay late and talk with Mrs. Crest."
"What do you mean you had to stay late?"
"Well, I had to explain why I failed her test."
"Sounds like you won't be accepted to Starfish Racing Academy with me in the fall."
"I'm trying, Zeus, but nothing seems to help at all."
"Oh, hey there Dante… how's it going?"
"Did you guys see Brooklyn today? Holy Shrimp!"
Brooklyn was well known around Taffy Town for being the prettiest fish in school.
"Oh relax, Dante. There's plenty of fish in the sea."
"I guess you're right but I'd do anything if she kissed me."
At that moment, a strong current of whirling waves tossed the friends forcefully.
The school's resident bully, Azuka, and his slippery side-kick Raidon appeared.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?"
"Looks like two squids and their girlfriend too."
Just like that, Jasper swam away leaving some fishy-do-do.
"Haha really funny Azuka. Shouldn't you be somewhere sharpening your teeth?"
"Yeah, why don't you leave us alone!"
"I'll leave you alone, if you can beat me in a race to the Dark Water Reef."
"I have nothing to prove to you Azuka."
"Fish-up and race me, Zeus!"
"If it means you will leave us alone for good, then you're on!"
"Deal! Count it off Raidon."
It didn't take long for Azuka to get way ahead of Zeus.
Propelling through the tall clusters of seagrass,
over and under the hurling twirling schools of zipping minnows,
through the murky mile of muttering mollusks,
they finally saw the deep-blue water surrounding The Dark Water Reef.
Azuka and Zeus were swimming with all of their strength
but were quickly getting tired.
100 feet above the race, a group of fishermen set their bait. Plop!
Sinking fast went the yummy worms, while the fishermen sat and began to wait.
Zeus focused on the finish line,
While Azuka thought he could spare some time.
Flip! Flop! Flip! Flop!
Azuka glanced up for a look and quickly discovered he was hooked.
Just a short distance from reaching the mark, Zeus swam ahead leaving Azuka in the dark.
As Azuka freed himself from the fisherman's hook, he watched Zeus win the race, a win he gracefully took.
"I'm sorry you got hooked back there, but a deal is a deal."
An embarrassed Azuka replied, "It's just so hard to pass up a tasty meal."
"Since you got here first and I'm a shark of my word, I'll leave you and your friends alone not to be heard."
"You know, you're not so bad Azuka. And if you'd like, I was thinking of starting a club and you would be perfect for it."
"A club?" asked Azuka.
"Yeah, a club. I call it..."
Furious Fins
