Keiko was a very big whale with a very big, kind heart. He lived in a place with a high wall and clear, blue water. He loved the splashing and the cheers, but sometimes, Keiko felt a tiny tickle of sadness right behind his smile.

What made Keiko sad? He longed for the taste of salt and the wide, open hug of the true, blue ocean. He missed the songs that only real waves could sing.

Every morning, his kind friend, Elara, would come to greet him. Elara understood Keiko better than anyone. She would rub his smooth skin and whisper encouraging words.

"Soon, big friend," she promised, "you will feel the waves pulling you home." Keiko would click softly, which meant, "I hope so, Elara, I truly hope so."

Finally, the day arrived. A big boat came to take Keiko on the start of his long journey. It was scary, and loud, but Elara stayed right by his side, singing a quiet, brave song.

The journey was bumpy and long. Keiko dreamt of fish that tasted like sunshine and water so deep it was purple. He kept his heart brave by remembering Elara’s kind face.

Then, one glorious morning, the journey stopped. Keiko felt a rush of cold, salty air and heard a sound he knew immediately: the crash and whisper of the open ocean!

Elara helped him swim out into the bay. "Go, Keiko," she whispered, her eyes shining. "Go find your family. Go find your ocean." She gave him one last, loving pat.

Keiko took a deep breath of the salty air. He swam, and swam, and swam, feeling the current beneath his belly—a powerful, friendly hand guiding him forward.

And then, far off, he heard it: a familiar song, a chorus of clicks and whistles! His pod! Keiko had found his home. The tickle of sadness was gone forever, replaced by the biggest, happiest splash of all.