Off I go...can I live here?

Kathleen Gradel (drkg)with Sam the Manatee

2012

Hi, I’m Sam. I’m a sea cow. Or you can call me a manatee.

When I was born, I was 4 feet long, and I weighed 66 pounds.

My mom took care of me by feeding me milk.

She showed me where to eat the best sea grass, and she taught me how to be safe.

Now, I am 2 years old and I’m all grown up. I weigh 1,000 pounds and am 8 feet long.

I just said “bye” to my mom. Off I go, to find a new place to live all by myself.

Off I go. Can I live here?

NO!

But why?

It is way too dry. I need wet, warm water. It can be salt water or fresh water.

Off I go. Can I live here?

NO!

But why?

It is way too cold. I need a place where the water is warm. I need a place with lots of sea grass. I eat 100 pounds every day!

Off I go. Can I live here?

NO!

But why?

It is way too dangerous. Boats are my biggest enemy.

Off I go. Can I live here?

YES!

And why?

There are no boats. The water is not too hot or too cold. There is lots of sea grass, too.

Anything else?

YES!

I think I see some friends! Off I go! Woohoo!

THE END

Author: Kathleen Gradel

Story line adapted from Are You My Mother (Eastman, 1960).

Images Sources:

Title page (p. 1)/Manatee mailbox by Joe Shlabotnik @ flickr.com:

Credits

Please reach the author, Kathleen Gradel, @ gradel@fredonia.edu

Title page (p. 1)/Manatee mailbox by Joe Shlabotnik @ flickr.com:Q