Atoya The First Whale

By Vitauts

Scientists believe that sixty million years ago whales were four footed, carnivorous mammals who lived on the land. For one reason or another they, along with other mammals, retreated to the oceans from which they originally came.

"Atoya The First Whale" follows the adventures and metamorphosis of Atoya the whale as the oceans which first gave his kind life call him to his origins. During the innocent pleasures and pursuits of his youth a gradual, realization emerges that he is unlike the others of his race and does not fit into the norm.

Written as an allegorical tale "Atoya The First Whale" addresses issues, which in the final analysis, are age old and timeless. Conflicts arise in the form of peer pressure, generation gaps and dissension with established authority.

The hardships of change are explored as are the difficulties of rejection by peers and family because one appears to be different. Though unwelcome by the established order change is inevitable and the one who stands at the vanguard must brave the consequences of rejection and ridicule. However, without change stagnation results and extinction is the ultimate end.

Along his road of adventures Atoya the whale receives help and guidance from a variety of characters. There is the old dolphin who gently introduces him to the Great Waters of the ocean. Tero, the flying lizard, who watches and protects from above. His parents who, though they don't understand his deviation from the tribal path, stand by him at the end. And Leanna, who would become his mate, even as others seek his destruction. Conflict with the tribe comes from Lanyo, a childhood friend, and Gondor, leader of the tribe of whales.

Ultimately Atoya makes an irrevocable decision in a final confrontation with the established order. A decision that leaves no room for return to the old ways. Instead Atoya opts for the uncertainty of change which in the end brings him the chance for a new and wondrous existence.

The story of "Atoya The First Whale" shows that change in life is inevitable, but approached with an open and courageous attitude acceptance of change can be a way to grow and expand one's self beyond the limitations and constraints so often imposed on individuals.

This story has special relevance for children of all ages in this present day when change and pressures to conform abound on all sides.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vitauts
• Release date: Jul 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311548993

Book preview

Atoya

The First Whale

By

Vitauts

Atoya

The First Whale

By

Vitauts

Copyright © 2014 by Vincent Blumit writing as Vitauts  

Smashwords Edition All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned,

or distributed in any manner whatsoever

without written permission from the author.

WHENCE CAME THE WHALES

PROLOGUE

Gather around children and those of you who still have a part of the child in your soul. Let me ask you a question. Do you know where whales came from? Those magnificent creatures who sing their haunting melodies in the deep waters, who live, frolic and play in the oceans of the world and call them home. If you don’t, listen then to their story.

Once in a land far beyond the edge of distant mists, long before the age of time began, a family of whales continued in their daily existence. Home was the steaming jungle, green and lush covered with a layer of tranquility that could instantly erupt into vicious fury. Here mountains rumbled at each other and wore caps of smoke and steam by day and trailed feathery plumes of flame at night. In this place of harsh beauty dwelt a tribe of whales and one special family.

Father whale was a great and mighty hunter while mother whale looked after her family with dedication and love. Then there was Atoya, the focus of this tale, a young whale happy, lively and eager to know everything. He ran, played and observed this wondrous place he lived in, though at this age he usually stayed close to home, for there were those out there who would like nothing better than to chance upon a defenseless young whale.

Wait, you say. Whales don't run around and hunt in jungles. They are gentle creatures not predators.

Ah! Once in a timeless age the sun rose, a huge, red ball, over vaporous jungles while the Great Waters continued their relentless sculpting of the land's face. Then the world was still young, fresh and exciting, the early dawn of a bright new time and whales roamed the land as fighters and hunters. They stood their ground before others and lived in tribes with strict order and discipline. This was a savage age only thinly veiled by the green and fragile beauty which surrounded them.

Hear then the adventures of Atoya and of his journey back to distant beginnings which became his future.

BEGINNINGS

Atoya. The sound of his name came drifting lazily through the dense, green jungle. Hazy sunlight filtered down in misty rays through the tall trees whose tops melted into a green canopy far above his head.

Atoya jumped back as an iridescent fluttering rainbow flew over his head. This was his favorite time, alone, observing the wonders around him. His mind expanded as he ran and played in the jungle, watching and learning from the inhabitants of this marvelous place. He observed how they lived and what they ate. Sometimes he tried their food and found it good.

Atoya! This time the call came more insistently. Resignation to the intrusion replaced annoyance. It was Lanyo. He wanted to run and hunt. Atoya shook his head at this last thought which intruded on his reverie and disrupted the peaceful surroundings which had been his. The hunt was becoming a big part of the young whales' lives, and it bothered him.

Over here Lanyo, Atoya finally answered and waited as the crashing through the jungle came closer. Finally Lanyo burst into the small clearing sending smaller animals scurrying before him.

Well runt what are you doing here? More and more you just go off by yourself and no one knows where you go. Some in the tribe are starting to talk.

The reference to his size smarted. Lanyo was younger than him but stood almost a head taller and the other young whales