Luna was a very small orca in a very big blue ocean. The ocean felt empty when she swam alone, and the big, echoing silence made her heart heavy.

She remembered the rumble of her pod, the way her mother would sing to her in clicks and whistles. Now, there was just the sound of the waves, washing in and washing out.

"I need a friend," Luna decided. But friends were hard to find when you were miles away from any other orca. So, Luna swam far, far away, towards the place where the water met the land.

Near the shallow coast, she saw a little wooden dock sticking out over the waves. And sitting right at the edge, with their feet dangling, was a human child named Kai.

Luna approached slowly, gently curving around a thick pier piling. She didn't want to frighten the little human. With a soft breath, she lifted her head just above the surface and let out a curious 'phwoomph!'

Kai gasped, scooting back slightly, but then they saw Luna’s gentle, friendly eyes. This wasn't a scary giant; it was just a lonely swimmer. Kai reached into their pocket and pulled out a perfect, smooth, white shell.

Luna bobbed excitedly! She took her snout and nudged the shell, making tiny ripples spread across the water. It was the friendliest game of touch-and-go she had ever played.

Kai began to whisper stories about the world above the waves—about sandy castles and squeaky seagulls. Luna listened, resting easily in the cool water, feeling warm just from hearing Kai’s soft voice.

The sun began to dip, painting the sky in fiery oranges and soft pinks. "I have to go now, Luna," Kai whispered sadly, standing up. "But thank you for swimming so close."

Luna watched Kai wave goodbye. The ocean suddenly felt big again, but not empty. Luna knew that even if Kai was on the land and she was in the sea, she had found a friend. And that made her heart sing a brand-new, hopeful song.