Echo was a little dolphin with a very shiny nose and a playful spirit. She loved zooming through the warm ocean currents, chasing bubbles, and playing hide-and-seek with her friends. But sometimes, Echo felt a little bit shy about asking for help, even when she needed it.
One sunny morning, Echo was practicing her bubble rings. She wanted to make the biggest, most perfect bubble ring *ever*! She took a deep breath and blew… but the bubble just wobbled and popped. She tried again and again, but each bubble was smaller and less round than the last. Echo sighed. She was starting to feel frustrated.
Old Man Tiber, a wise sea turtle, swam slowly by. He noticed Echo’s drooping fins. “What troubles you, little one?” he asked kindly. Echo explained her bubble-ring problem. “I just can’t seem to get it right!”
Tiber smiled. “Sometimes, even the best bubble-blowers need a little help. Have you asked Coral, the dolphin who makes the most amazing bubble rings? She’s very good at explaining things.” Echo’s fins drooped even further. “I… I didn’t want to bother her,” she mumbled.
“Bother her?” Tiber chuckled. “Friends *want* to help each other! That’s what friends are for. It’s not bothering someone to ask for help; it’s a way of showing them you trust them and value their friendship.”
Echo thought about what Tiber said. He was right! She swam quickly to find Coral. Coral was practicing her own bubble rings, making shimmering, perfect circles that floated gracefully. Echo took a deep breath and asked, “Coral, would you mind… could you maybe show me how you make such perfect bubbles?”
Coral’s eyes sparkled. “Of course, Echo! I’d love to!” Coral explained that the secret was to blow slowly and steadily, and to keep your blowhole relaxed. She showed Echo how to shape her mouth and control her breath. Echo practiced, following Coral’s instructions.
It took a few tries, but finally… *whoosh!* A beautiful, large, shimmering bubble ring floated from Echo’s blowhole. It was the biggest, most perfect bubble ring she had ever made! Echo squealed with delight.
“I did it!” she cried, zooming around Coral in excitement. “Thank you, Coral! You’re the best friend a dolphin could ask for!” Coral laughed. “You did it, Echo! And remember, it’s okay to ask for help. We all need a little help sometimes.”
From that day on, Echo wasn’t afraid to ask for help. She learned that friendship meant supporting each other, and that helping others felt just as good as receiving help. As the sun began to set, painting the ocean in shades of orange and purple, Echo snuggled close to Coral, dreaming of all the wonderful bubble rings they would make together. And she knew, with a happy heart, that even the smallest dolphin could do big things with a little help from her friends.