In a shiny blue sea lived a little dolphin. His name was Moondrop.
Moondrop was small and very curious. By day he leaped after boats. By night he gazed at the moon.
One night the sea turned very dark. Clouds covered the moon. Moondrop swam along and suddenly heard: Puff-puff-puff! It was a little boat. A tiny wooden boat with one sail. But it was going the wrong way.
"Oh no, oh no!" cried a voice. It was the captain of the boat, a boy named Paul.
"Where am I?" asked Paul. "I'm lost. The waves are carrying me out to sea."
Moondrop swam closer.
"Don't be afraid," said Moondrop. "I'll help you. Follow me."
And Moondrop swam ahead. He knew the way to shore better than anyone. Little glowing creatures in the water showed the path. Moondrop swam and gently nudged the boat with his nose when it stopped.
"Where are we going?" asked Paul.
"To the lighthouse," answered Moondrop. "Its light can be seen far away."
They swam for a long time. Sometimes Moondrop jumped out of the water to see if the shore was near. And Paul held the tiller and wasn't scared, because Moondrop was beside him.
At last a tiny light blinked in the dark.
"I see it!" cheered Paul.
The boat came up to a sandy beach. Paul stepped onto the dry land. He turned to Moondrop.
"Thank you! Would you like a fish? Or maybe a pearl?"
But Moondrop shook his head.
"I don't need anything," said Moondrop. "I'm glad you're home."
And Moondrop slipped back into the waves. Paul watched the sea for a long time, where the stars twinkled.