It was finally time for the dolphin swim. Everyone changed into the protective coverings. That left Carlos as official photographer.
Carlos introduced us to one of the dolphin trainers.
“Hi, I’m Melissa. Welcome to Miami Seaquarium. Please come into the pool. I’ll give instructions as we go along.”
“I feel like a deep-sea diver in this rubberized suit,” I whispered.
“Don’t remind me,” Jasmine answered. She looked a little green.
We lined up in waist deep water against the side of the pool. It all happened just as Carlos said it would. We learned that dolphins grow to about 8 or 9 feet long, and weigh between 440 and 660 pounds. Graceful. Intelligent. And fun, too!
“Look!” I said as a head popped out of the water. One of the dolphins swam over to say hello to me. I looked at his face. His intelligent eyes looked at mine. His mouth was curled up in what looked like a smile.
“Oh, my gosh—he’s giving me his flipper. He’s shaking hands with me!”
Another dolphin came up to me and flipped on his back. “He wants me to rub his belly!”
“It’s like playing with a dog,” Jasmine said.
“Want to try?” I asked.
“No. I’ll just watch.”
More dolphins swam across the pool to join their friends. The trainer explained, “It took many hours of training to teach the dolphins these tricks. It’s a testament to their intelligence and willingness to cooperate with humans.”
Ms. Costa added, “It’s also a testament to you and the other trainers. Girls, did you know that people who train and work with animals are among those with the highest IQs?”
Melissa smiled, “If you use a firm voice and avoid any distracting behaviors, the dolphin will respond as instructed. Are you ready for trick time?”
“Ohhhhh, I’m not so sure about this.” Jasmine froze.
“I’m ready,” I answered.
“Teachers certainly know how to use a firm voice,” said Ms. Costa.
“Mothers also get a lot of practice in that area,” Mom said.
“I see you kept your sense of humor through these experiences,” the trainer remarked. “You’re all so pleasant.”
“You’re not saying people usually get nasty?” asked Ms. Costa.
“No, not nasty, but sometimes afraid or uncomfortable. This can make them act in a negative way that confuses the dolphins.” The trainer looked directly at Jasmine.
I joked, “Maybe those are the people with the lower IQs.”
The trainer was thoughtful for a few seconds, then laughed, “You may be on to something there.”
“Very funny.” Jasmine made a face at me.
“I’m going to call the dolphins back. Each one of you will hold a fish high up in your right hand. When the dolphin is in front of you, say, ‘Clap hands.’ After the dolphin claps three times, hold the fish above its mouth. Don’t worry if they jump for it. Remember, they want to eat the fish, not you.”
With the trainer’s call, the dolphins raced across the pool. One after another, the dolphins lined up facing us. “Clap hands,” we said at the same time. “Hey, they listened,” I said.
Everyone was smiling. Except for Jasmine. She covered her eyes with her left hand, as she fed the fish to the dolphin with her right hand.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“I’m trying. Now you’re being hard on me.”
“Sorry.”
When we thought we were finished, the trainer reminded us we had one more treat in store.
“Now, we’re ready for the dolphin swim,” the trainer said. “Hang on tight to the dorsal fin, and you will have the ride of a lifetime.”
I looked at my friend.
“What’s a dorsal fin again?” she asked.
“On the back. We have to hold on to the fin on their back.” Ms. Costa told her.
“How do I know I won’t drown?”
Melissa was patient. “They’re better swimmers than all of us put together. We’re also dealing with a high intelligence. They won’t try to make you fall off.”
“I’m not going to let anyone think I’m a dummy. Let’s just do it before I change my mind.” Jasmine surprised us.
Each one of us was kissed by our own special dolphin. Then they took us one by one, on an exciting ride across the pool and back.
“I love it. I love it. I love it!” I kept repeating myself.
“Aaagh! I can’t look.” Jasmine’s eyes were closed tight during the whole ride.
We watched as my mom and Ms. Costa took their turns.
“Are they really people in disguise? How is this happening?” I asked.
I felt such a strong connection. I touched my dolphin pendant. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to someday be a trainer? To live in Florida with the beach as my backyard?”
Jasmine said, “First of all, I’m not letting you move to Florida or anyplace else. Second, I don’t think the kids at school will believe we did this. I don’t even believe I did this.”
Carlos was watching from the sidelines. “I’ve been taking pictures for you. You’ve got the proof right here.”
“Thanks,” we said.
“Jasmine, I’m so happy. You did it even though you were afraid. That’s what counts.”
“I’ve got a feeling I’ll be doing a lot more things I’m afraid of.”
“You’re growing up. You’re stretching,” Mom said.
“I guess so,” Jasmine answered. “But it sure doesn’t come easy.”
“That’s why they’re called growing pains,” Ms. Costa added.
Carlos reminded us that it was almost time for the dolphin show to begin. After thanking the trainer for a wonderful time, we changed back into our clothes and rushed to the stadium seating. Being guests of the aquarium, we had reserved, front row seats. Of course!
We watched the dolphins swim, play, and do tricks. The audience clapped in time to the beat of a popular song as the dolphins “danced” across the water.
They jumped through hoops and played basketball. Then they had “running” races across the pool.
“I never knew anything like this existed. Mom, can we move here?”
“It’s very tempting. Working in a place like this would be a whole lot better than being stuck in an office all day.”
Ms. Costa added, “And a whole lot better than being stuck in a school all day.”
Jasmine and I looked at each other and giggled.
“Oops,” said Ms. Costa, as her face turned a deep shade of red.