VIEWPOINT MAGAZINE Volume 2.3 March 2014 | Page 14

Short Story

The Barnacles and
Whale’s Journey in
the Deep Blue Sea
Is it Just Commensalism or Could It be Love?
By The Silent Artist (A 6th Grader)

A

n enormous blue whale passes by in the deep
blue Pacific waters. A young barnacle, immobile on
its own, quickly clings onto the back of the whale.
This particular barnacle then attaches to it, making
itself comfortable in its newly found habitation. It
goes wherever the whale goes, to unexplored depths
of the sea, places abundant with krill and planktons,
deeper and deeper into the ocean. The barnacle also
shares food and nutrients with the whale, enjoying
the bountiful planktons as the whale swims across
the deep blue sea, unaware of the witty little
sedentary fellow on its back. After all, this tiny little
creature on his back neither harms nor benefits the
whale; all it needs is shelter and mobility, which the
whale provides.
The barnacle also shares all the adventures with the
whale. There were times they scare cruisers as they
follow trails of luxury ships. On the other hand, there
were times when they had to swim for their lives.
Well, the barnacle doesn’t really swim; the whale does
all the swimming for him. Imagine the scene when
some whale hunters almost speared the very spot
where the barnacle was! It was also scary when they
got lost in the dark and cold Southern Oceans. At
first, barnacle didn’t really seem to care; he simply
seemed to get the most out of his crazy partnership
with the whale, where he gets free habitation,
transportation and nutrition.
But then, this tiny free-rider was really concerned
when the whale almost killed itself in a fight with
another whale over a female whale, which was worse
than any other life-threatening adventure they’ve ever

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had. The whale was badly wounded, and it took days
for the wounds to heal. The usually happy-go-lucky
“hitchhiker” who was just enjoying the ride while
witnessing all the ups and downs of its “carrier” is
now gravely affected, not only by the deep wounds
of the whale, but also by his deep sorrow over the
loss of his love.
By and by, the whale and the barnacle go on with
this relationship rather known as commensalism.
They thrive together in the same environment,
sharing the same adventure. Now, four years have
passed, and the barnacle was going to leave soon,
because it only has a six-year life-span. One thing’s
for sure, he would not forget the time his whale lost
over a lady. But then the barnacle thought about all
the trips they could still have in the next couple of
years have, all the venturing and exploring. It would
all be worth it. So he stayed to spend the last couple
of years of his life making more memories with his
whale.
The whale and barnacle then grew old together.
Soon, the day for him to pass away will come. Even
though the whale was totally clueless of his very
existence, the barnacle felt a special bond out of this
commensal relationship he shared with his whale;
well, it may just be commensalism, or who knows? It
could be love. But, nonetheless, his time to go is fast
approaching, but he will never forget the moments
he had with the whale in the deep blue sea. The
whale had so many voyages and the barnacle had
seen, felt and shared every inch of those journeys.