by Anonymouse

Created on: August 06, 2010   Last Updated: August 17, 2010

Otis the Optimistic Otter

Off the coast of Alaska, there lives a family of northern sea otters. Today is extra special for two of its members. Adoring Mama Otter is ready to teach her pup how to dive for food. The pup is named Otis, and he is one optimistic otter.

Mama Otter asks Otis, "Do you know why we live in shallow water? You see, we can only hold our breath for five minutes at the very most. Dives have to be short. We need to make it all the way to the sea floor and back to the water's surface with food."

Now Otis is ready for his first attempt. Today he will not be wrapped in kelp so he doesn't float off while Mama Otter dives. Today he gets to dive for himself! Perhaps he will catch crab or fish for his early morning meal. Excited, he swiftly dives to the sea floor.

Otis uses his whiskers to find food because it's hard to see. He turns a rock over with his paws. "What could be hiding under here? My first catch!" he thinks to himself. He picks up an object an stores under his left armpit, in a natural pouch. Then he returns to the icy sea surface.

"Look what I found!" he shouts happily. Then he notices the object for himself. "Oh, it's just a large pebble," he sighs. Otis has a problem. He didn't even snatch a small snail from the sea floor! However, he does not stay disappointed for long. He is just too optimistic.

Mama otter brings her pup a sea urchin. "Good job," she tells him. Otis uses his rock to crack the tasty meal open. While he eats, he rolls around to wash the juice from his extra-thick fur coat. Eating gives him a few moments to think.

"I'm an otter. I never worry! With practice, I'll be a magnificent diver!" he exclaims. Otis does not pout or lose hope. Instead, he practices diving with Mama Otter every day. It takes him not one, not two, not ten, but seventeen tries!

Otis the optimistic otter was not an amazing diver at first. However, he tried his hardest and did not give up. In time, he became one of the best divers of all the northern sea otters.

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