Walking alone on a remote beach in southwest Florida, I was surprised to hear splashes coming from the water. As I walked in the 1 of the sounds, I saw a manatee(海牛) show its head out of the water, 2 a great snuffling(带鼻音的) breath. It seemed that it was in 3 and trying to get out of it.
I'd never seen a 4 like this before. I wanted to 5 , but there was no one else on the beach. So I went into the shallow water and went toward the animal. I came 6 enough to make out the manatee. Then, a second manatee, much smaller, appeared beside it. 7 , the manatees were also moving toward me. Soon I was 8 by several manatees. I could clearly see the larger manatee 9 the little one up with her flipper(鳍状肢) and pushed it to the 10 beside me.
As the two slipped underwater, two other manatees moved up from behind, one on either side, 11 gently against my body as they swam past. They circled and12 the action, this time 13 by the mother and her baby. I held my hand out touching their back as they passed me. Since they obviously enjoyed touching me, I began 14 each of them as they swam by.
I stood there enjoying the scene, 15 to move, until finally the rising tide forced me back to the shore. Later I knew exactly what took place that morning. The manatees 16 me in their celebration of a birth and I was welcome to meet the 17 member of their family.
During that unexpected scene, I felt more involved in the rhythms of 18 on our earth than ever. Each year, I head for that 19 for a quiet little birthday picnic on the shore. After all, you never know who might 20 up for your party.
