Ellie the eel was a very wiggly, very slippery little creature. She lived in a beautiful coral reef called Coral Cove, and every night, just as the moon peeked through the waves, she’d wiggle her way home to her cozy little cave. But tonight, something was different. The current was strong, and Ellie found herself drifting further and further away from Coral Cove.
She tried to swim against it, wiggling with all her might, but the current was too powerful. “Oh dear,” she sighed, her scales shimmering with worry. “I’ve never been this far from home before! I’ll be late for bedtime stories with Mama Eel.” Ellie started to feel a little bit scared. She usually loved exploring, but being lost wasn’t fun at all.
Just then, she spotted Finley the friendly flounder flapping by. Finley wasn’t the fastest swimmer, but he knew the reef like the back of his fin. “Finley!” Ellie called out. “Finley, can you help me? I’m lost and I can’t seem to get back to Coral Cove.”
Finley stopped flapping and looked at Ellie with kind eyes. “Of course, I can, Ellie! It’s okay to ask for help, you know. Even the strongest swimmers need a little assistance sometimes.” He explained that the current was particularly strong tonight and suggested Ellie hold onto his fin while he guided her.
Ellie gratefully accepted Finley’s offer. She gently looped her tail around his fin, and together they swam. Finley didn’t rush; he knew Ellie was a little tired from fighting the current. He told her stories about the funny pufferfish and the dancing seahorses they’d seen earlier that day, which made Ellie giggle and forget her worries.
As they swam, Ellie realized she hadn’t paid attention to the landmarks on her way out. She usually just wiggled and zoomed, enjoying the ride! Finley pointed out a giant purple sea fan and a cluster of glowing jellyfish. “See, Ellie? Paying attention to where you are helps you find your way back.”
Finally, they spotted the familiar glow of Coral Cove. Ellie’s cave was right ahead! “Thank you, Finley!” she exclaimed, giving his fin a gentle squeeze. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Finley smiled. “You’re very welcome, Ellie. Remember, it’s brave to ask for help when you need it.” Ellie wiggled into her cave, where Mama Eel was waiting with a warm hug and a bedtime story about a little starfish who learned to shine. Ellie snuggled close, happy to be home, and grateful for her friend Finley. She knew that even when things felt difficult, she could always ask for help and find her way back to where she belonged.