Question
Polina and the Whale
Kathy Hufford
Polina the Polar Bear sat on an ice floe in the Arctic Ocean, north of Alaska. Polina was waiting for her mother, Bearnice, to return with some tasty seal blubber for lunch. Bearnice was hunting, waiting for seals to come up for air through holes in the ice, the same way Polar Bears have hunted in the winter for centuries. Except this year there was one big difference.
A lot more of the ice had melted last summer, and this winter it hadn’t refrozen as usual. A combination of warmer weather and changes in water and air currents was making the ocean warmer than anyone could remember, and Bearnice had to swim farther every day to find a good hunting spot.
As Polina waited for her mother to bring food back to her floe, the ice shrank bit by bit until she was sitting on very thin ice. As Polina waited helplessly, the furry white cub heard a deep voice coming from the direction of the sea.
“Hellooo little bear,” it said. Polina had never heard such a deep voice. She lifted her tired head to look out over the water, and was surprised that the voice seemed to come from a dark ice floe just offshore.
"No, wait!" It had a huge eyeball that was looking directly at her. It wasn’t an ice floe — it was the largest whale Polina had ever seen. It was also the first whale that had ever spoken to her.
“They call me Farswimmer,”said the whale, “because I travel all over the world, having adventures and learning new things. What brings you here alone, Polar Bear?” Farswimmer was very old, and he had seen many changes in his years of exploring the oceans. He certainly knew more about the world than most polar bears.
Farswimmer seemed like a nice whale, but Polina remembered Bearnice, her mother, and how she hadn’t come back from hunting.
Farswimmer blew a tall spout to distract Polina and stop her from crying.
When Polina told the whale her own story, he said, “I’m headed north anyway. You could ride on my back, and we can look for your mother. Are you ready for an adventure?” The next morning, Farswimmer and Polina charted their course and took off. Polina rode Farswimmer’s back and sometimes floated behind him, holding his tail. She also stood on his back and pretended she was surfing. It was a blast.
They took a break on an ice floe. Soon, they saw something in the distance that looked like another ice floe, but just to be sure, Farswimmer left Polina on the ice and swam to the floating object.
It wasn’t an object. It was an animal. Farswimmer used his fat nose to push the animal to Polina’s icy raft. When they got closer, Polina saw a familiar face.
“Mommy,” she yelped. Bearnice was very tired, but the sound of her cub’s voice made her happy. She opened her arms and the two embraced each other in a big bear hug.
Kathy Hufford
Polina the Polar Bear sat on an ice floe in the Arctic Ocean, north of Alaska. Polina was waiting for her mother, Bearnice, to return with some tasty seal blubber for lunch. Bearnice was hunting, waiting for seals to come up for air through holes in the ice, the same way Polar Bears have hunted in the winter for centuries. Except this year there was one big difference.
A lot more of the ice had melted last summer, and this winter it hadn’t refrozen as usual. A combination of warmer weather and changes in water and air currents was making the ocean warmer than anyone could remember, and Bearnice had to swim farther every day to find a good hunting spot.
As Polina waited for her mother to bring food back to her floe, the ice shrank bit by bit until she was sitting on very thin ice. As Polina waited helplessly, the furry white cub heard a deep voice coming from the direction of the sea.
“Hellooo little bear,” it said. Polina had never heard such a deep voice. She lifted her tired head to look out over the water, and was surprised that the voice seemed to come from a dark ice floe just offshore.
"No, wait!" It had a huge eyeball that was looking directly at her. It wasn’t an ice floe — it was the largest whale Polina had ever seen. It was also the first whale that had ever spoken to her.
“They call me Farswimmer,”said the whale, “because I travel all over the world, having adventures and learning new things. What brings you here alone, Polar Bear?” Farswimmer was very old, and he had seen many changes in his years of exploring the oceans. He certainly knew more about the world than most polar bears.
Farswimmer seemed like a nice whale, but Polina remembered Bearnice, her mother, and how she hadn’t come back from hunting.
Farswimmer blew a tall spout to distract Polina and stop her from crying.
When Polina told the whale her own story, he said, “I’m headed north anyway. You could ride on my back, and we can look for your mother. Are you ready for an adventure?” The next morning, Farswimmer and Polina charted their course and took off. Polina rode Farswimmer’s back and sometimes floated behind him, holding his tail. She also stood on his back and pretended she was surfing. It was a blast.
They took a break on an ice floe. Soon, they saw something in the distance that looked like another ice floe, but just to be sure, Farswimmer left Polina on the ice and swam to the floating object.
It wasn’t an object. It was an animal. Farswimmer used his fat nose to push the animal to Polina’s icy raft. When they got closer, Polina saw a familiar face.
“Mommy,” she yelped. Bearnice was very tired, but the sound of her cub’s voice made her happy. She opened her arms and the two embraced each other in a big bear hug.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Polina squealed with joy, her heart leaping as she felt the warmth of her mother's furry embrace. “I was so worried about you!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling with both relief and excitement.
Bearnice nuzzled her daughter affectionately. “I’m sorry, little one. The hunt was harder than usual this year. The ice is melting, and the seals are harder to find,” she explained, glancing at Farswimmer who was now swimming lazily nearby. “But it seems you found a friend while waiting for me.”
Polina turned to the majestic whale, her eyes wide with admiration. “This is Farswimmer! He helped me find you! He knows so much about the ocean and its changes,” she said, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. “He said he travels all over the world!”
Bearnice smiled warmly at Farswimmer, grateful for his kindness. “Thank you for looking after my cub. The world is changing, and it’s wonderful to know she wasn’t alone,” she said, appreciating the friendship that had formed amidst uncertainty.
Farswimmer smiled back, his enormous eyes sparkling. “It was my pleasure. The ocean has much to teach us, but it’s even more special to share those lessons with new friends,” he replied, his voice resonating like a gentle wave.
As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, Polina felt a new sense of hope. She realized that although the world was changing, she wasn’t alone in it. Her mother was by her side, and she had made a remarkable friend in Farswimmer.
Bearnice looked at Polina and said, “Let’s ride with Farswimmer a bit longer. We can search together, and maybe learn something new about our home.” Polina nodded excitedly, her heart filling with joy at the thought of adventure.
Together, the trio set off across the shimmering waters, Polina perched on Farswimmer's back while Bearnice swam beside them. They explored hidden coves and icy caves, marveling at the beauty of the ocean. Farswimmer shared stories about the distant lands he had visited and the creatures he had met. He spoke of the changing environment, the importance of preserving their home, and how every animal plays a role in the delicate balance of life.
As the day turned into night, Polina learned more than she ever imagined. She discovered new sights—the vibrant coral reefs that had once thrived and the stark beauty of the vast ocean. But even amid the marvels, she felt a deep understanding of how interconnected all creatures are, and the importance of caring for their world.
At last, as they drifted close to another ice floe, Bearnice perked up. “Look, Polina! I see some seals!” The three of them approached cautiously, and with her mother’s guidance, Polina watched in awe as Bearnice skillfully hunted. Farswimmer remained close, watching over them, and Polina felt comforted knowing that she had gained not just a friend, but a protector.
With the moonlight reflecting on the water, Polina and Bearnice enjoyed their meal, filled with gratitude and love. They had overcome worries and fears, finding laughter and adventure in an uncertain world. Polina knew that they were part of something greater—the ocean and its wonders, the friendship of a wise whale, and the love of a mother.
As she rested on the ice, with her belly full and dreams dancing in her mind, Polina whispered softly to the stars above, “Thank you for today.” And in that moment, beneath the vast Arctic sky, she knew that, no matter what changes lay ahead, she would always have her mother, her friend, and a heart full of hope.
Bearnice nuzzled her daughter affectionately. “I’m sorry, little one. The hunt was harder than usual this year. The ice is melting, and the seals are harder to find,” she explained, glancing at Farswimmer who was now swimming lazily nearby. “But it seems you found a friend while waiting for me.”
Polina turned to the majestic whale, her eyes wide with admiration. “This is Farswimmer! He helped me find you! He knows so much about the ocean and its changes,” she said, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. “He said he travels all over the world!”
Bearnice smiled warmly at Farswimmer, grateful for his kindness. “Thank you for looking after my cub. The world is changing, and it’s wonderful to know she wasn’t alone,” she said, appreciating the friendship that had formed amidst uncertainty.
Farswimmer smiled back, his enormous eyes sparkling. “It was my pleasure. The ocean has much to teach us, but it’s even more special to share those lessons with new friends,” he replied, his voice resonating like a gentle wave.
As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, Polina felt a new sense of hope. She realized that although the world was changing, she wasn’t alone in it. Her mother was by her side, and she had made a remarkable friend in Farswimmer.
Bearnice looked at Polina and said, “Let’s ride with Farswimmer a bit longer. We can search together, and maybe learn something new about our home.” Polina nodded excitedly, her heart filling with joy at the thought of adventure.
Together, the trio set off across the shimmering waters, Polina perched on Farswimmer's back while Bearnice swam beside them. They explored hidden coves and icy caves, marveling at the beauty of the ocean. Farswimmer shared stories about the distant lands he had visited and the creatures he had met. He spoke of the changing environment, the importance of preserving their home, and how every animal plays a role in the delicate balance of life.
As the day turned into night, Polina learned more than she ever imagined. She discovered new sights—the vibrant coral reefs that had once thrived and the stark beauty of the vast ocean. But even amid the marvels, she felt a deep understanding of how interconnected all creatures are, and the importance of caring for their world.
At last, as they drifted close to another ice floe, Bearnice perked up. “Look, Polina! I see some seals!” The three of them approached cautiously, and with her mother’s guidance, Polina watched in awe as Bearnice skillfully hunted. Farswimmer remained close, watching over them, and Polina felt comforted knowing that she had gained not just a friend, but a protector.
With the moonlight reflecting on the water, Polina and Bearnice enjoyed their meal, filled with gratitude and love. They had overcome worries and fears, finding laughter and adventure in an uncertain world. Polina knew that they were part of something greater—the ocean and its wonders, the friendship of a wise whale, and the love of a mother.
As she rested on the ice, with her belly full and dreams dancing in her mind, Polina whispered softly to the stars above, “Thank you for today.” And in that moment, beneath the vast Arctic sky, she knew that, no matter what changes lay ahead, she would always have her mother, her friend, and a heart full of hope.