a time

there was a beautiful dolphin named Iwalani.  Iwalani liked to swim around
Oahu and feed on small fish near the shore (although she always wished she
could have been born a vegetarian).
	One rainy day Iwa was swimming off Kahala Beach Park, chomping
down truly manini manini, when she realized that she was a very lonely
dolphin.  This epiphany caused her to lose her appetite--even more so than
her usual preoccupation with giving up small fry for healthy veggies like
lipoa. Instantly consumed by her sadness, Iwa did not notice a very
handsome dolphin swimming toward her until he nudged her nose. 
	"Oh, excuse me," Iwa apologized, "I didn't see you."  She was
always so polite.
	"No problem.  My name's Keanu.  What's yours?"
	Iwa had been taught that she should never ever talk to strangers,
but Keanu seemed like a very nice dolphin.  "My name is Iwalani," she
finally said.  "Pleased to meet you." 
	Keanu, a very perceptive young dolphin asked, "Why are you so sad,
Iwalani?" 
	"I'm sad," Iwa responded, "because I know that I am truly alone."
	"How odd," bubbled Keanu, "since I am here with you."
	"Wow!" exclaimed Iwa.  "You are right! I am no longer alone if
you would be my friend." 
	"Of course I'll be your friend," said Keanu.  "Let's play."
	The two happy dophins began to romp around, leaping in the air,
playing tag, and bodysurfing the waves along Kahala Beach.
	Suddenly Iwa said, "Look over there on the beach."
	Keanu turned his attention toward the beach where he saw a little
girl crying beside the water.  "Let's check this out," he suggested.
	They swam near the shore.  When they were close enough not to
scare the little girl, Iwa called out, "Hey, little girl, who are you and
why are you crying?"
	A bit startled to be hailed by a dolphin, the little girl stopped
crying immediately.  "Uh, well, my name is Lia," she answered cautiously,
"and I'm sad because I have an idea for a story that I can't finish." 
	"Tell us the story," Keanu encouraged, "and maybe we can make some
suggestions for an ending."
	Lia shook her head.  "Oh no, I couldn't do that!" she commented
emphatically.  "My teacher would be upset because I didn't write the whole
story by myself.  If I used an ending you gave me, I would be guilty of
plagiarism." 
	"Don't be ridiculous," said Iwa.  "Consider this research.  All
you have to do is cite us in your bibliography."
	"That's right!" agreed Lia, cheering up considerably.  "Okay, I'm
thinking about a story of a very lonely dolphin who likes to spend time
swimming and snacking on manini off this beach.  She's lonely because she
doesn't have anyone to play with.  That's as far as I've gone.  I want to
have a happy ending." 
	"Really!" exclaimed Iwa, startled by this cosmic coincidence. 
"You might not believe this, but I have personally just lived this story. 
It is quite astounding that we should meet you at this time, for I was
lonely only moments ago, and now I have a new friend." 
	"That's me!" exclaimed Keanu.  "And this is definitely a happy
ending."
	"Wow!" Lia shouted, "this really is a fateful encounter.  Thank
you very much for your help.  I will be sure to acknowledge both of you as
my references." 
	"Glad we could help," said Iwa, turning to swim happily out to
sea.
	"Hang loose," Keanu burbled, following his new friend. 
	Lia waved goodbye and shouted many mahalos until the two were out
of sight.  "Let's see," she mumbled as she sat down on the sand.  Reaching
for her notebook she began to write: 

	Once upon . . .

Lia, Iwa, and Keanu:
Christmas 1998