How the Sea Became Happy

How the Ocean Became Happy
By: Meghna Sathiapalan

Long time ago, on Earth, the Ocean was very sad! First of all, he had no friends and second of all he couldn’t move! There was no wind to move him. Ocean was very disappointed and had no clue on what to do. So the next day he decided to speak to his best friend, Land. He assumed mortal form and Land did the same.

“Hello, Land!” greeted Ocean, “How are you doing?”

“Not very well, my friend! My burden of people is really getting heavy! I have sent a lot to Great God who is also having trouble as he cannot fit all these people in Heaven! Many of Great God’s messengers are looking for another place in the galaxy to accommodate these people! But I don’t think some of them need a home!” Land said savagely

”Why do you say that?” Ocean asked, surprised at the sudden outburst for he had always envied his friend for having so many people.

“Half of the people are not at all decent. On the other hand, they are greedy and foolish. Only the respectable people should be given homes. “Land replied.

“Why, you are right of course! I’m not sure I can help you. It is a good thing that you have asked Great God to aid you, but it is surprising that he cannot help you! But do not worry, dear friend! I will find a way to help you, somehow!” Saying this, Ocean bid goodbye to Land and returned to his normal form. “How can I help Land and solve my problem together?” Ocean thought to himself! He decided to go to sleep and rest his thoughts.

The next day, as the sun rose, Ocean woke up, with only one thought in mind: to visit Great God. Once again assuming his mortal form he flew up to Heaven. He bowed down low to Great God who sat on his splendid throne with maidens fanning him with peacock feathered fans, looking rather troubled. “Oh, how will I ask this minor problem to the one who has all?” Ocean thought, trembling slightly, “I might make him even more troubled!”

“Please, Ocean, do not be afraid to tell your problems to me. I will listen without interruption.” Great God said in his deep voice, facing him, which persuaded Ocean greatly to tell him his story.

“Oh, great God, I shall tell you. My problem is that I don’t have any friends and…” Ocean paused nervously, looking at Great God’s expression, which remained neutral.

“Go on.” Great God prompted patiently, wondering what else had bothered Ocean. “I hope he is not too scared of me,” he thought suddenly, making sure the expression on his face would not reveal what he was thinking.

“And I also want to move, Great God! I want to move like the birds move through the sky. I want to move like the Earth rotating! I want to move like the people on Land! I want to move like the fish in the waterfalls, I don't want to stay still!” the Ocean finally said passionately.

Great God felt touched as he thought “Poor thing, I should try to help him. He has a simple soul. But he can help me a lot!” Then Great God rumbled to Ocean, “I think I can solve both my problem and your problems at the same time. But you have to agree first.”

“Oh, great one, I will agree to anything you say! I will go to any lengths to solve these problems!” the Ocean said without hesitation, looking forward to the reply of Great God.

“I shall turn the extra people into fishes, whales, sharks, corals and plants! I will turn all greedy people into corals, and the good people into marine animals that shall live happily. I will keep all these people in you, Ocean! Then you will have friends! There is one problem solved!” Great God exclaimed joyfully.

“It is indeed a good idea, sir, but how about my second problem?” Ocean asked doubtfully.

“Oh, that! I shall ask the wind God to blow more in your direction. Won’t that solve your second problem? That will be all. I thank you for telling me your problem as I have now solved all three of our problems, including Land’s. I am grateful to you as you have brought the smile back on my face. Now go home in peace, Ocean.” God concluded as he turned to go.

“I thank you too sir for lending me a hand! I am forever in your debt,” Ocean said as he flew back down and assumed his normal form.
And so Ocean (and Land) lived without problems and this is how the Ocean became happy!

The End