Once there was a little boat named Timko. He had a white hull, a red sail, and a shiny anchor.
Timko dreamed of sailing out to sea. But whenever the wind blew, he was too scared to leave the dock.
"The waves are so big," Timko would whisper.
One morning, a dolphin named Zlata swam up to the dock.
"Are you scared to go into the water?" she asked.
"I'm small, and the sea is so big," said Timko softly.
Zlata smiled. "I was little once too. Do you want me to swim beside you?"
Timko thought for a moment, then nodded.
He untied the rope, pulled up his anchor, and set off.
The first wave lifted him high up. Timko felt scared.
"Hold on," called Zlata.
Then the wave brought him down – and Timko laughed. It felt like a swing!
The wind filled his red sail, and Timko went faster.
A seagull named Marusya flew toward him.
"Welcome, traveler!" she cried.
"Am I really a traveler?" asked Timko.
"You're sailing on the sea, so yes you are!" said Marusya, and she flew away.
Timko sailed on. The waves lifted him up and down, but he wasn't scared anymore.
Zlata dove beside him and popped up with a happy splash.
"Look!" she shouted. "A lighthouse!"
Far away, a tall lighthouse shone. Its beam lit up the way.
"That's for boats sailing home," said Zlata.
Timko passed the lighthouse, went around a little island, and turned back toward his dock.
When he arrived, an old tugboat named Oleksiy was waiting.
"So how was it, sailor?" he asked.
"I sailed! On a real ocean road!" Timko said happily. "And waves aren't scary if you just don't be afraid!"
Oleksiy smiled but said nothing.
Timko tied up to the dock, dropped his anchor, and began to doze. His red sail fluttered gently in the breeze.
Tomorrow, he would sail again. Now, he knew the way.