Augustine the Octopus

In the Australian reef, there lives an octopus name Augustine. He likes to be around others, and is always interested in what others are doing.

One day, when Augustine was on his way to get food, he saw his old pal, Bob the Blowfish.

"Hey Bob, seems like you've lost some baby fat!" said Augustine.

"Yeah, ate a bad clam the other day, still having the shits," said Bob.

"Oh, that's too bad, I was going to invite you to the rocks to get some crabs, but I guess it's better now cos you get to keep your figure," replied Augustine.

Inflated with anger, Bob had more difficulty talking, but Augustine was already singing to himself and heading toward the rocks. Then, a shrimp from the Swimps said, "Hey Augustine, what's up with the blues?"

"I'd love to chat Swimp, but I'm trying to get this fish over there behind that rock, your dolphin-like squeak will scare them away. I'll talk to you later," whispered Augustine as he gets ready to make a move.

Then Augustine caught the mackerel, as he was enjoying his meal, Eason Eel came over.

"Hey Augustine, do you need some help with that?" asked Eason

"Hahaha.... what do you mean do I need some help?" said Augustine

"Well, I just thought that friends help each othe

r. But if you don't need any, then I'm sorry I asked," said Eason.

"Eason, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, but I have eight legs so I think I can handle it alright," Augustine tried to be as kind as he could, but apparently, it was too late.

"Don't worry about it," Eason swarmed away and never looked back.

After Augustine finished, he roamed to the intertidal zone where flounders, sea stars, and sea cucumbers like to be, hoping to get someone to play with. Then he saw Erika, a sea cucumber, as she rolls around in the current.

"Hey Erika, are you hanging in the current? Got some good stuff there?" asked Augustine.

"Oh you know, the usual. But I've been getting this really great residue from the pipes near the village. They have some real delicacies," said Erika.

"That's good. I just had a big meal too, a good size mackerel. I think my skill is getting better," said Augustine.

"Good for you. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go filter my meal," said Erika as she rolled away in the current.

Then Augustine, feeling frustrated and sad, crawled over to the deeper end of the ocean. Suddenly, he saw The Black Crawler, bubbling through its silver tank as he flaps through the water going toward the coral reef.

The octopus knew what he had to do to save his friends. He shoots over like a flash of lightning and grabbed on to its leg and took a big bite on the wet suit. The diver then felt the pain and stabbed the octopus with his spear and killed Augustine right through the brain.

Being a Blue Ring Octopus is never easy. For Augustine, he craved for friendship and maybe he's rough around the edges, yet others disliked him because of their own insecurities. In the end, Augustine died alone, but never did he miss the point of friendship.