Every morning before school, Leo headed down to the rocky cove behind his house. The air was always salty and cool, and the sound of the crashing waves felt like a heartbeat. Leo’s favorite part of the morning was visiting the harbor seals. They often lounged on the flat, sun-drenched rocks, looking like giant, smooth gray sausages.
Among the group, there was one seal Leo recognized by a small, heart-shaped spot on its side. He named her Pearl. Pearl was usually the first to dive into the water, popping her head up to watch Leo with curious, dark eyes. But today, Pearl wasn't splashing or diving. She was huddled near the edge of a tide pool, shivering.
As Leo got closer, he saw the problem. A bright green fishing net was tangled around Pearl’s back flipper. The more she wiggled, the tighter the plastic mesh became. Leo knew he shouldn't touch a wild animal, but he also knew Pearl was in trouble. He stayed calm and spoke in a soft, low voice so he wouldn't scare her.
"It’s okay, Pearl," Leo whispered. "I'll get help."
Leo ran back to the house to find his mother, who volunteered at the local marine center. Together, they grabbed a pair of specialized cutting tools and a thick pair of gloves. When they returned to the cove, Pearl was still there, looking exhausted. Leo watched from a safe distance as his mother carefully snipped away the tangled netting.
Once the final thread was cut, Pearl didn't wait a second. She slid gracefully into the water. She swam out a few yards, then turned back and slapped her flipper against the surface, sending a spray of water into the air. Leo laughed, wiping a stray drop from his cheek. He knew Pearl was back where she belonged, free to roam the wide, blue ocean once again.
