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One day, after having returned from her holiday to Florida, Heather Wold, the Little Red-Haired Girl, was relaxing on her bed.
“Yes. Going on vacation elsewhere is fun and relaxing, but there’s no place like home.” Heather said to herself.
Just then Heather heard her mobile phone ring.
“Now who could that be?” She wondered.
Heather picked up her phone and then answered it.
“Hello? Oh, hi Charlie Brown.”
“Heather.” Said Charlie Brown. “How’s my Little Red-Haired Girl doing?”
“I’m going well, thank you.” Said Heather. “Just relaxing after my long vacation.”
“Because there’s an aquarium that’s opening soon.” Said Charlie Brown. “And I thought maybe you’d like to come once it opens.”
“Oh, I’d love to go, Charlie Brown!” Said Heather. “Well, thanks for letting me know.”
After hanging up on Charlie Brown, Henry walked in.
“Who was that, Big Sister?” Asked Henry.
“That was Charlie Brown.” Said Heather. “He told me that an aquarium is opening in town soon, and…”
“Aquarium?!” Exclaimed Henry. “I love aquariums!”
Wally went into the living room where Charlie Brown sat, watching TV.
“Hey, Big Brother.” Said Wally. “Who was on the phone?”
“That was Heather.” Said Charlie Brown. “I was letting her know about the aquarium that’s opening downtown soon."
“What’s an aquarium?” Asked Wally.
“An aquarium is a place where there are fish, squid and other creatures from the water.” Explained Charlie Brown.
“Sea creatures? Cool!” Cried Wally.
“What’s this about an aquarium, Brothers?” Asked Sally.
“An aquarium is opening in town tomorrow.” Said Charlie Brown.
“An aquarium in our town? Oh great! This means more homework for Sally Brown!” Sally sighed. “Why bring the sea animals here when we can go to the beach and look at them?”
“Relax, Sally.” Said Charlie Brown. “They might make any homework about sea creatures easier.”
“Anything you say, Big Brother.” Said Sally.
“When does the aquarium open, Big Brother?” Asked Wally.
“It opens….. I can’t remember.” Charlie Brown pondered. “All I heard about it is that it opens soon.”
“Soon, huh?” Said Sally.
Heather brought her little brother Henry down to where the aquarium was to open.
“Well I’ll be!” Said Heather. “It’s opening right near the river!”
“Given an aquarium houses animals from the water.” Said Henry.
“Right again, Little Brother.” Said Heather.
“But when does it open?” Asked Henry.
“If you must know, Little Boy.” Said a workman. “This aquarium opens tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?!” Exclaimed Henry. “Tomorrow!”
Henry was so excited, his scream caused Heather to flip up and onto her back.
“The aquarium is opening tomorrow!” Henry cheered again. “We’ll be seeing sea creatures in our city!”
“That’s my little brother.” Heather said in a dazed manner.
Henry had arrived home to inform his parents.
“You’ll never believe it, Mom and Dad!” Cried Henry. “But the aquarium is opening tomorrow!”
“That’s wonderful!” Said Donna.
“We’ll get to see all kinds of sea creatures.” Said Al.
“I wonder what sorts of animals there’ll be there?” Pondered Henry. “Ah well. We’ll find out tomorrow.”
“Say, where’s your sister?” Asked Al.
“Hmm…..” Pondered Henry.
Heather was outside the aquarium, still on her back, confused by her brother’s cheer.
“Happy for him.” Heather groaned.
The following day, at Birchwood Elementary, Henry heard his teacher, Miss Othmar, make her announcement.
“Are you ready for today’s field trip?” Asked Miss Othmar.
“Yes, Miss Othmar!” Called the children.
“Today, we’re going to Sparkyville Aquarium!” Announced Miss Othmar.
“Yay! Aquarium!” Cheered the students.
“It opens today.” Said Henry.
“Today?” Said Miss Othmar. “All the more reasons for us to go today, for its official grand opening.”
Every child in Miss Othmar’s class cheered.
At Sparkyville High School, Heather told everyone about Sparkyville Aquarium.
“So the aquarium opens today.” Said Heather.
“I knew it’d be soon.” Said Charlie Brown.
“And just after we came back from our vacation.” Added Mary Stewart.
“My little brother is especially excited about it.” Said Heather. “He’s always wanted to see sea creatures.”
“Didn’t he see any in Florida?” Asked Linus.
“I guess he did.” Said Heather. “We did pass a beach after all.”
“I’ll bet there are some of the world’s most dangerous creatures in those tanks.” Lucy smirked. “Perhaps an octopus, with eight tentacles, who will drag you down to their watery dens!”
“And even a shark!” Violet added. “One sniff, and they’ll have an appetite for meat!”
“Any water pigs?” Asked Percy.
“No, Pig-Pen.” Said Lucy. “There won’t be any water pigs in an aquarium.”
Meanwhile, back at Birchwood Elementary, everyone in Miss Othmar’s class was boarding the bus to Sparkyville Aquarium for its official grand opening.
“Here we are, Class.” Said Miss Othmar. “Sparkyville Aquarium.”
All the kids were amazed.
“I hereby declare Sparkyville Aquarium….. open!” Announced the owner.
Soon, Miss Othmar and her class walked inside to explore and see all the different sea life inside.
“Wow! This is amazing!” Exclaimed Henry. “It’s almost like we’re underwater!”
“You’re right, Henry.” Said Miss Othmar. “It does feel like we’re underwater. Now, I want you to find a sea creature and take some notes about them.”
“Yes, Miss Othmar!” The whole class said.
One blonde girl named Kelly went to look at the angelfish.
“So beautiful!” She said. “Angel fish! It’s like they’re floating up!”
A brunet boy named Marvin went to see the shark.
“Jawsome!” Cried Marvin. “Our aquarium has sharks!”
“Very good, Marvin.” Said Miss Othmar. “That isn’t just any shark. It’s a Great White Shark.”
“Doesn’t look that white to me.” Said Marvin.
“But it is of a great size.” Said Miss Othmar.
A raven-haired girl named Isabella was looking at the clams.
“So beautiful! We’ve got clams!” Said Isabella. Do these ones make pearls?”
“Despite urban legend,” said Miss Othmar. “clams don’t make pearls.”
“Then….. how are pearls made?” Asked Isabella.
“Oysters are the ones who make pearls.” Said Miss Othmar.
But there was one sea creature Henry was interested in. This was the kind of creature with eight long tentacles, and a head shaped like an oval. The one Henry was eyeing was a vibrant purple.
“Amazing!” Henry cried.
“That, Henry, is an octopus.” Said Miss Othmar. “They are named for their eight legs.”
“Octopus?” Said Henry. “But they don’t look anything like a cat!”
“Not octo-puss!” Laughed Miss Othmar. “It’s octopus.”
“That’s cool!” Said Henry.
So Henry spent most of the field trip watching the octopus spin around in circles. He was amazed by how many legs it had.
“I could watch this creature all day.” Henry said.
Soon, it was lunch time, and Miss Othmar called all the students.
“Wah wah wah wah wah!” A muted trombone called.
“Yes, Miss Othmar!” The kids called.
“Come on, Henry!” Called Kelly. “Miss Othmar is calling us to lunch!”
“Coming!” Called Henry.
And there, at the cafeteria, holding her muted trombone, was Miss Othmar.
“I see you’re all enjoying the field trip so far.” Said Miss Othmar. “What did you learn about the animals?”
“That sharks can smell meat and attack instantly!” Said Marvin.
“Clams don’t really make pearls.” Said Kelly.
“That octopuses can squeeze through tight spaces and can change colour to mark their surroundings.” Said Henry.
“Very good, Henry.” Said Miss Othmar. “Nice one, Kelly, and spot on, Marvin.”
Snoopy and Woodstock were walking through town, and when they eyed the aquarium, Snoopy showed great enthusiasm.
“Hey!” Cried Snoopy.
Snoopy and Woodstock walked into the aquarium to see the aquatic creatures in the tanks. When Snoopy read a tank which featured a shark, he quivered in fear. Woodstock clung to him.
“Eeeeeeee!” Woodstock shivered.
Snoopy then read a sign which read “Dogfish”.
“Oooh!” Snoopy said in an intrigued manner.
Snoopy gazed at the dogfish, thinking it would be half-dog, half-fish.
*Cut to fantasy*
Snoopy was underwater, wearing a snorkel, with Woodstock by his side.
“The World-Famous Diver is searching for the legendary dogfish.” He thought. “He’s been told this particular fish can bark like a dog.”
Snoopy dove to the coral reef where he found all kinds of sea anemones. He was amazed by the beauty of them.
“Ah!” Snoopy said.
Suddenly, a shark was heading towards Snoopy. When Snoopy and Woodstock saw this….
“AAAAAAAUGH!!!!!!”
Snoopy and Woodstock swam for their lives as the shark chased after them. Snoopy saw another shark and he and Woodstock quivered with fear. Sharks cornered them, and Snoopy held Woodstock, knowing they would soon be shark bait.
*Cut back to reality*
Snoopy saw a dogfish, which was really a species of shark, and he and Woodstock cowered.
“Snoopy?” Said Henry as he’d finished his lunch break. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at home with Fifi?”
Snoopy pondered and pondered, just as the manager came upon them. He picked up Snoopy and Woodstock and threw them out of the aquarium.
“No dogs!” He shouted.
But you have dogfish!” Henry retorted.
“Yes, but we don’t allow actual dogs in here.” Said the manager. “I know the dog means well, but it’s the rules.”
“I see..” Said Henry.
Later that day, when the field trip had ended and everyone went home, Henry told his family all about his field trip.
“So where did you go, Little Brother?” Asked Heather.
“We went to the aquarium, Heather.” Said Henry.
“And what do they have there?” Added Donna.
“They’ve got dogfish, clams, oysters, angelfish, octopuses….” Henry explained.
“What about dolphins?” Asked Heather.
“I don’t think they would have dolphins in this aquarium, Heather.” Said Al. “Not enough room.”
“The octopus intrigued me the most.” Said Henry. “With its eight tentacles, looks like it’s always dancing, and the fact it can change colour. Fascinating.”
“You really did learn something on your field trip, hey, Henry?” Said Heather.
“It was thanks to Miss Othmar.” Henry announced. “I can’t wait to go to the aquarium again one day.”
“We can take you there again this weekend.” Said Heather.
“Thanks, Big Sister.” Said Henry.
“Anything for my favourite little brother.” Heather smiled.
“He’s your only little brother.” Said Donna.
“Oh yes!” Chuckled Heather.
The following day, Heather told her friends all about Henry’s excursion.
“Henry and his class went to the aquarium.” Said Heather. “He really enjoyed the animals, especially the octopus.”
“There’s an octopus in our aquarium?” Said Peppermint Patty. “That I gotta see!”
“There’s more than just an octopus, Sir.” Said Marcie. “There are also fish, especially the sharks.”
“Sh…..sharks?!” Exclaimed Peppermint Patty. “Sharks? AAUGH!!!!”
“Relax, Sir.” Said Marcie. “These sharks won’t hurt you, as long as you stay out of their tanks.”
“Your brother got into the aquarium before me?” Said Lucy. “Lucky him!”
“Why don’t you come with us when we visit the aquarium this weekend?” Suggested Heather.
“That sounds like a nice idea, Heather.” Said Lucy.
“Can I come?” Asked Charlie Brown.
“You can all come.” Said Heather. “It’ll be more than just a family outing, it’ll be a friend outing too.”
“Thanks, Heather!” Said Charlie Brown.
“I can’t wait to see the sharks!” Said Franklin. “I’m sure they’re jawsome!”
“Have you ever seen a shark, Charlie Brown?” Asked Linus.
“No, and I hope I won’t have to.” Said Charlie Brown.
“It’s okay, Charlie Brown.” Said Heather. “The aquarium has more than just sharks. My little brother told me so.”
That weekend, the Wold family had arrived at the aquarium, along with their friends, as well as Sally, Harold Angel, Eudora, Lydia, Eugene, Rerun, Katie, Lindsey and Britney.
“Hi, Heather.” Said Charlie Brown.
“Hello, Charlie Brown.” Said Heather. “Nice to see you all here.”
“Do any of these animals know how to play football?” Asked Franklin.
“Do any of these sea creatures know Beethoven?” Asked Schroeder.
“Do any of these creatures have naturally curly hair?” Asked Frieda.
“Are any of these animals from Australia?” Asked Timmy.
“Australia, maybe.” Said Henry. “Football, Beethoven and naturally curly hair, I’m not too sure about. However, the octopus might have naturally curly tentacles.”
“That’s good enough for me.” Said Frieda.
“Schroeder, did you really have to ask about these animals knowing Beethoven?” Asked Mary Stewart.
“There are fish called coelacanths who can live for many years.” Said Schroeder. “Maybe they knew Beethoven during his lifetime.”
Could any of these fish be carrying around blankets?” Wondered Linus.
“Linus, what is it with you and blankets?” Henry sighed.
“He used to carry one around with him everywhere he went.” Lucy explained.
“Until one Australia Day, where I held a barbie, and his blanket caught alight.” Tommy added.
“Anyway,” said Heather. “I’ve paid the admission fee, let’s go in.”
And so they did.
Peppermint Patty and Marcie were exploring the Great White Shark tank.
“Awesome!” Cried Peppermint Patty. “This tank is full of sharks!”
“The Great White Shark to be exact, Sir.” Said Marcie.
“Never in my life did I expect our city to house the world’s largest fish!” Peppermint Patty exclaimed.
“Actually, the Great White Shark isn’t the biggest fish in the world, Sir.” Marcie corrected. “That honour belongs to the Whale Shark.”
“The whale shark?” Peppermint Patty puzzled. “How can a shark be a whale?”
“It’s not really a whale, Sir.” Marcie explained. “It’s called that because of its large size and the fact it’s shaped like a whale.”
“Cool!” Said Peppermint Patty.
Peppermint Patty and Marcie were on their way to the next enclosure when they encountered four familiar faces.
“Hiya, Claudia!” Said Peppermint Patty.
“How do you do, Patricia? And Marcie?” Said Claudia.
“Hi, Skylar.” Said Marcie.
“Nice to see you here.” Said Skylar.
“What are you doing here, Claudia?” Asked Peppermint Patty.
“I’m here with my sisters, and they said I can look after my niece and nephew Cadence and Cameron while they go explore the more serious sea creatures.
“And how they’ve grown too!” Said Peppermint Patty.
“They are a year old after all.” Said Claudia. “And so far, they’re enjoying the underwater feels.”
“That’s a nice way of putting it, Claude.” Said Peppermint Patty.
Cam and Cade looked at Peppermint Patty and cooed at them.
Sebastian and Lucy went to a very cold section of the aquarium. This one was filled with penguins and seals.
“Brrr….. so cold in here!” Shivered Sebastian. “I’m m….m….more used to Cuban w….weather than th….this!”
“Good thing I dressed warm.” Said Lucy, showing her skivvy, leggings and boots. “In case we see any animals who prefer the cold.”
Sebastian looked at the emperor penguins and was confused.
“I don’t see how these birds can cope with the cold!” Retorted Sebastian.
“It’s their feathers.” Said Lucy. “Which may explain why they enjoy swimming in the antarctic sea.”
Linus, Janice, Rerun and Katie went into the penguin and seal enclosures, and upon doing so, began to shiver.
“Brr….. so cold!” Shivered Rerun.
“At times like this, I wish I….. s…still had my b….blanket with me…..” Linus chattered.
“I d..d…don’t see h….h…how you can s….st….stand this, Lucy.” Added Rerun.
“I’m dressed in warm clothes, Little Brothers.” Said Lucy.
“There she g….g….goes again with h…..her b….big-h….h…headedness.” Katie sighed to Rerun.
“C…..can’t we g…..get p….parkas?” Janice added.
“You should’ve thought of that before we came in here.” said Lucy.
“Good grief!” Sighed Linus.
“B….but at least w…..we get to s…s…see penguins and s….s…seals.” Sebastian interjected.
“He’s r….right.” Katie chattered. “Let’s s….see the p….p….penguins.”
“They look like t…they’re g….g…going to the r…r..royal ball.” Katie added, eyeing their black and white feathers.
“Y….you’re r….right, Katie.” Said Janice.
Meanwhile, Henry had returned to the octopus tank to see how his eight-legged friend was going.
“Hello there, Octopus.” Said Henry. “Did you miss me? That’s nice.”
Charlie Brown saw where Henry was.
“Hey, Henry.” Said Charlie Brown. “Oh, I see you like the octopus in this tank."
“It fascinates me.” Said Henry. “Just look how many legs it has, and how it changes colours.”
“Good grief, it really is a unique sort of creature, isn’t it?” Said Charlie Brown. “Say, have you seen your sister anywhere?”
“No.” Said Henry. “Last time I saw her, she was looking at the eels.”
“Eels?” Said Charlie Brown. “Do you know what kind of eels they are?”
“Not really.” Said Henry. “Didn’t stop and check.”
“Thanks for the advice anyway, Henry.” Said Charlie Brown.
Charlie Brown left Henry, who spent some more minutes looking at the octopus.
“That was Charlie Brown who came up to me.” Said Henry. “He also thinks you’re fascinating.”
The octopus didn’t say anything, he just spun round in circles, entertaining Henry.
“You’re funny.” Henry giggled.
“Hiya, Hank!” Said Peppermint Patty as she and Marcie came by with Claudia, Skylar, Cameron and Cadence. “Still looking at the octopus?”
“Yes I am.” Said Henry. “This octopus can even dance around!”
“That isn’t just any octopus, Henry.” Said Marcie. “This is a pearl octopus.”
“Is it the kind that makes pearls?” Henry asked Marcie.
Marcie chuckled at this.
“No, silly. They’re named because of their round appearances when they defend their eggs.”
“Fascinating!” Henry cried.
Charlie Brown found Heather at the eel tank.
“There you are, Heather.” Said Charlie Brown.
“Hey, Charlie Brown.” Said Heather.
“Your brother told me you’re looking at the eels.” Said Charlie Brown.
“They look like snakes,” said Heather. “But they’re actually fish.”
Suddenly, Charlie Brown noticed a little crack in the eel tank.
“Good grief, look at that!” Exclaimed Charlie Brown.
“What’s wrong?” Asked Heather.
“There’s a little crack on the glass.” Said Charlie Brown. “Do you know what kinds of fish these are?”
“It says so on the label over there.” Heather said, pointing to the note.
“Electric eels.” Charlie Brown read. “They’re some interesting eels. Come on, Heather. Let’s go and see your brother.”
But before they could leave, Charlie Brown made a realisation.
“Electric eels?!” He exclaimed. “ELECTRIC EELS!!! Let’s go!”
Charlie Brown tugged on Heather’s left arm and they both ran.
“Electric eels!” Cried Charlie Brown as he and Heather ran through the aquarium. “The electric eel tank has a crack in it!”
“Electric eels?” Quizzed Peppermint Patty. “How can there be such a thing?”
“They do exist, Sir.” Said Marcie. “And….”
“But their tank is about to break at any moment!” Exclaimed Heather. “Quick! We need to tell everyone and get out of here!”
Marcie and Peppermint Patty alerted Claudia, Skylar, Cameron and Cadence. Charlie Brown and Heather alerted Schroeder and Mary Stewart. Schroeder and Mary Stewart alerted Linus, Janice, Lucy, Sebastian, Rerun and Katie.
“The electric eels’ tank is about to burst!” Cried Mary Stewart.
“We need to leave immediately!” Added Schroeder.
“Let’s go!” Lucy said. “No time to lose!”
Katie and Rerun went to warn Tommy and Emily.
“Cuz! Emily!” Katie cried. “Let’s go!”
“Why?” Asked Emily. “What’s wrong?”
“The electric eel tank is about to shatter!” Rerun answered.
“Electric eels? Good grief, we’ll be electrocuted!” Tommy cried. “No time to lose!”
Tommy picked up Emily and carried her over his shoulder.
“Let’s get outta here!” Tommy answered. “Or else we’ll be fried!”
Tommy and Emily alerted Percy and Patty Swanson who were looking at the rays.
“Percy, Patty!” Cried Tommy. “Let’s go!”
“Electric eel tank is about to break!” Emily added.
“Electric eels?!” Exclaimed Patty Swanson. “Let’s go, Percy!”
Soon, everyone got out of the aquarium safe and sound, all except for one person.
“Now who’s missing?” Wondered Charlie Brown.
“Violet’s here.” Said Patty Swanson.
“Shermy’s here too.” Said Percy.
“Roy’s here.” Added Peppermint Patty.
“Franklin’s here.” Said Marcie.
“So who’s missing?” Charlie Brown asked.
“Let’s see….” Said Heather. “Sally, Harold Angel, Eudora, Wally, Spearmint Sammy, Marty, Darcy, H….. Good grief, where’s Henry?!”
“Leave him to me!” Said Schroeder.
Henry was still inside the aquarium, watching the octopus go round. He didn’t know about the electric eel tank let alone a crack in its glass.
“Having fun there, Octopus?” Asked Henry.
Just then, Schroeder ran into the aquarium.
“Henry! Oh, Henry!” Schroeder called.
And sure enough, he found Henry, still watching the octopus.
“Henry!” Schroeder shouted. “You have to get out of here!”
“Why?” Asked Henry.
“The tank for the electric eels is about to crack at any moment!” Exclaimed Schroeder.
As he said this, a wave of water was heading his way.
“Good grief, let’s get out of here!”
Schroeder picked up Henry and carried him over his shoulders. He dashed right towards the emergency exit.
“What’s taking my big brother so long?” Asked Sally.
“He might have gotten lost too.” Said Harold Angel.
“Or worse, eaten by a shark!” Feared Eudora. “Or even a whale!”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Eudora!” Laughed Harold Angel. “There are no whales in this aquarium!”
“And whales don’t eat people, they eat krill!” Sally added.
“Some whales are carnivorous.” Marcie said.
“I hope Schroeder and my little brother are okay.” Heather feared.
Suddenly, out came Schroeder, through the emergency exit, with Henry over his shoulder, letting the water flow through, leaving several electric eels still on the ground.
“Good grief, we’ll need a lot of rubber gloves to clean up this mess!” Said Schroeder.
“Schroeder!” Cried Heather. “You’re okay!”
Schroeder put Henry down, and Henry ran to his sister. As soon as Henry hugged Heather, she hugged him back.
“Oh, Big Sister!” Henry exclaimed. “It was scary! I thought I was gonna be electrocuted!”
“Don’t you worry, Little Brother.” Said Heather. “You’re safe now.”
“Thank you.” Said Henry.
“And Schroeder!” Said Heather as she walked to hug him. “Thank you so much for helping my little brother!”
“Anytime.” Said Schroeder.
Mary Stewart walked up to Schroeder and gave him a hug and a kiss.
“You saved my best friend’s brother!” Said Mary Stewart.
“Let’s hear it for Schroeder Klein!” Shouted Henry. “Three cheers for Schroeder Klein, my hero!”
Everyone cheered for Schroeder, and then lifted him up and carried him away.
“Do you think we’ll come back to this aquarium tomorrow, Henry?” Asked Heather. “See your octopus friend?”
“I’ve had enough of octopuses for now.” Said Henry. “This place will need to be closed until they can get the eels’ tank fixed.”
“When you’re right, Henry, you’re right.” Said Heather. “Come on, I’ll treat you to an ice cream.”
So that was what Heather and Henry did. While Henry was pleased with the octopus in the neighbourhood, even he knew when enough was enough.