Dr. Herbert Benjamin
“Yes,” said the whale, “one of the littlest I ever had.
In fact I was just doing you a favor to punish you at !”
all
“Thank you very much,” said Henry. “It was very
kind of you. But I hate to tell you your punishment
doesn’t
work
!”
“Why not?” asked the whale.
“Well, first,” said Henry, “there’s no way you can
make
sure
I’ll get to land. Couldn’t you find a way to
make sure?”
“That’s simple,” said the whale. “When I go away
you don’t have any choice! You
have
to leave the ocean.
You couldn’t get without
me!
You
have
to have law and
order. How can you get along without law and order?”
and the whale dived.
“But. . . .” said Henry.
The whale came up again and said, “What did you
say?”
“I just wanted to ask if you’re
sure
I’ll get to land?”
“Sure I’m sure!” said the whale, and he dived once
more.
Henry felt relieved.
Then the whale came up again a little distance
away. “Goodbye,” he said. “That settles it.” And he was
gone.
Then the whale came up further away. “Take care
of yourself,” he called, “and try not to break so many
laws of the ocean in the future. You got off easy this
time. Next time the punishment will be doubled! Now
stop
talking
! Your case is finished! That settles it! Don’t
you understand?”
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