by Theo Marais
Horace Dobbs. ‘Dance to a Dolphin’s Song.’ 1996.
“The Greeks held that killing a dolphin was tantamount to killing a man, and it was punished with the same penalty as murder.”
Brenner and Pilleri. ‘Dolphins in ancient art and literature’. 1977.
CHAPTER 1
In 2045, the International Marine Institute announces that they have received a report from the special task group, which comprises the main findings of research into communication with cetaceans. This information was built up by researchers in numerous countries and after decades of collaboration and reviews of theory and practice in the field. Relevant visuals accompany the text.
“The following information is a summary of the main findings of researchers into the messages that whales and dolphins have been giving us for the past 20 years, but which we have only recently been able to understand, and also about the interactions and exchanges we have had with them.
Scientists had to deal with reluctance by cetaceans, whales especially, for many years, to trust humans. After all, they had been hunted inhumanely almost to extinction, and were not ready to co-operate with ease and to the extent needed. Humans also had a tendency to try to dominate, to order cetaceans to do things at their command, like to find ancient, flooded ruins in a far-off ocean, without much sensitivity about their own needs, patterns of movement and social interactions, so essential if they were to survive.
The greatest on-going threats to their survival on Earth were pollution, especially oil and plastic, entanglement in fishing nets and lines, over-fishing of their prey, noise emissions from boats, and military use of sonar and seismic noise. And now too, instead of being hunted by whalers, they were being hunted by whale-watchers and people wanting to swim with dolphins, the whole affair being so over-commercialised in some areas that they are suffering stress, disruption and even injury and death. But after much negotiation with cetacean representatives, compromises and agreements were reached with the relevant authorities.”
CHAPTER 2
The ‘Life on Earth 2’ T.V. programme announces that the recordings of the dolphins on Earth 2 have arrived on Earth.
“We have heard that, at first, scientists could not make head or tail of them as they seem to be so different from the dialects of Earth dolphins. When the recordings were played to our dolphins, they were enraptured but could not understand them properly at first. One imagines that a period of possibly 15 000 years in which a small pod of young dolphins is totally isolated from its original community, will give rise to the development of new forms of grammar, syntax, concepts and meanings. Would a small group of children who were isolated on a far planet, or even on a desert island, also develop new languages and ideas? Hopefully, they would not turn it into another ‘Lord of the Flies’ or ‘Clockwork Orange’ scenario. But these dolphins seemed more intelligent.
Earth dolphins developed some good ideas about their Earth 2 cousins’ language and formulated a response that they believed would be understood. They also made some suggestions about how they could communicate more easily in future. These were recorded and sent to Dr Alex Zhivago on Earth 2.
We also sent the following message: Marine scientists at Plettenberg Bay asked us to tell you that the whale called Aristotle came by recently. He said that he had finally found out that his daughter had managed to escape the scene of her mother’s death and had been found by a passing pod of whales.
They ‘adopted’ her because they could not find her family as they use a different migratory route. But the story got around the grape-vine and he was finally re-united with her a few days ago.”
Alex sends the following report back to Earth after many months.
“When our dolphins finally returned to the little bay and we played the recordings sent to us, they could understand most of the messages and ideas and were so emotional about finally having some answers about their origins and long-lost family that they really were ‘sobbing’ and ‘laughing’ at the same time. They could fully accept that they originally came from Earth and had been brought here by aliens, just as their ancient legends had always said.
Most importantly for us, we now had methods whereby we can communicate directly with each other and develop our own ‘fanakalo’ language. After weeks of ‘workshopping’, we could ask and answer questions quite easily. As we built up mutual understanding, we developed trust and respect.
The first thing the dolphins told us was that the Earth dolphins had warned them of the cruelty and destructive disregard humans had shown towards them, their second cousins, the whales, and towards marine life in general.
Their first non-negotiable was that, at the first sign of any aggression or disregard for any marine life or the environment as a whole from us, they would stop co-operating with us as a first measure. Further, as yet unspecified measures could be taken if matters deteriorated further. Coupled with this was the warning that the same conditions would apply on Earth, and that we had to facilitate regular communication with cetaceans on Earth in this regard.
Our minds were reeling with the implications of what we were hearing. Was their legend of the aliens bringing them there really true? There did seem to be a direct connection between the dolphins on the two planets, but how could there be a connection with such a vast distance between them? How did our dolphins have such strong prejudices and fears against us from their legends, when we had only recently met them? How did they know of other cetaceans, their ‘cousins’, on another planet? What was giving them such confidence and power that they could warn and threaten us, demanding changes in our behaviour? Changes that we have only relatively recently realised were necessary for the survival of us and all life on Earth, and which we have been struggling so hard to implement effectively.
The dolphins kept us guessing for ages.
Then one day we heard what the origin of the legends was, and it was almost word-for-word what Aristotle, the whale, had told us a few years ago at Plettenberg Bay. It seems that two pairs of juvenile dolphins were brought to Earth 2 after being ‘abducted’ by aliens from Earth, possibly 15 000 years ago. The reason appears to be that life on Earth was threatened by massive asteroid strikes, and the aliens were trying to re-locate as much life as they could on the nearest habitable planet, which already had its own flora and fauna. It appears that they deliberately did not bring humans or other large predators.
Fortunately, the first four dolphins had produced eight off-spring by the time they died, leaving a large enough gene pool for their long-term survival, and indeed, they thrived in their new environment. But now, they had mixed feelings about seeing humans. They were happy to share the planet with other intelligent beings, but they had heard from Earth cetaceans about our history, and so they were worried that we may do the same here on Earth 2. Had we really learned anything about the urgency of the need for us to change our ways? Would we try our utmost to redeem ourselves on Earth where we still had a slim chance? Would we make a truly new start on Earth 2?
Their final message, and the source of the threats of the ‘unspecified measures’ they could take in future, was that the aliens had visited them again fairly recently and had learned to communicate with them. They had warned the dolphins that humans could be arriving and settling soon, and had promised to return in a few years to check on developments. They had promised the dolphins that they would deal decisively with humans if they had started repeating their previous sins on Earth. However, if the dolphins gave positive reports about human activities, the aliens had said that they would make contact with them and start sharing their vast store of knowledge and skills with them.”
CHAPTER 3
A pod of mostly senior dolphins meets near the small bay. A senior female, who has arranged the meeting, welcomes all warmly by name and they respond heartily.
“As you know, we are meeting here today to discuss the human settlement, whether we think it is positive or negative for our planet, and so whether to support it or
not.”
A younger female responds, “Earth dolphins have warned us about humans’ past destructiveness there. Do you really think they are likely to have changed? I feel ambivalent.”
An adult male reasons, “We have only a small group of humans here and they have only relatively recently arrived.
So it is very difficult to predict how they will behave in future, when there are more of them and they want more food and start making big towns and factories like on Earth. Will they eat all our fish and pollute the rivers and the sea and the sky again? While we should keep these questions in mind, I believe that we should give them a chance.”
“This is outrageous!” bursts out a younger male. “We have seen that this is not just a small settlement for a short time. We have seen more settlers arrive, making about 50 of them now, and they are building more and more houses, to make a small town. I tell you, comrades, these are not just settlers, these are colonialists, and they want to take over our planet and ignore our wishes.
They talk with us and pretend to understand us, but they carry on doing things that harm our environment. They started by chopping down trees, changing the flow of the river, making fires and some have been hunting and killing birds and small animals, besides eating some of our fish. Watch out for these intruders, comrades!”
The most senior dolphin calmly intercedes. “We are understandably concerned about these newcomers to our planet, considering that we know some of their past selfish, greedy and cruel behaviour. You are fortunate you grew up a dolphin and so have learned to control these same urges, so we live peacefully most of the time”.
The last few words are directed at the younger ‘comrade’ male, with a chuckle. “However, they do admit to these past wrongs and seem genuinely remorseful and want to live much more responsibly now. So far, they have tried to start a settlement in the least harmful ways. We cannot deny them their basic necessities. They are not like us in not needing any shelter, clothing, fire, fresh water, toilets, tools, technology and factories. They have behaved responsibly, planting more trees, recycling all their waste, not polluting the rivers or wasting water, using solar energy rather than fire wherever possible, farming responsibly and organically, and trying to disturb the whole eco-system as little as possible. They have listened to us and shown us respect and love. Further, they have managed to convey our messages to Earth and have had a positive effect on human behaviour there, as we have learned from our family there. The conditions set by the aliens about human behaviour appear to have been met.
I feel that these humans are really genuine about living in harmony here and on Earth and should be encouraged. I propose that, while we should continue to be vigilant, we should tell the aliens when they come again, that the humans are willing to learn from them and develop further. And we should tell the humans of our decision.
Who supports this motion? As I hear that nearly all of you do support this, we will all meet with Alex and Ada later today, to tell them the news.”
Alex and Mariada hear that the dolphins have assembled in the bay and have called for them to come to a meeting. They walk into the water to a depth where the dolphins are comfortable. Alex is wearing his home-made, portable decoding and transmitting device, his ears and voice for communicating with the dolphins. The most senior dolphin addresses them.
“We have noticed your seriousness about living in harmony with all life here, and that you have helped to make a difference on Earth. Therefore, most of us believe that, up to now, you have satisfied the conditions that we and the aliens set for your future here. We will inform the aliens of this when they visit us again. We welcome you here officially and hope that our good relationship will continue. Thank you.”
When the whole group of Earth 2 humans hears the news, they are overjoyed and celebrations continue for a few days, with singing, dancing and all sorts of games. The old restrictions about sexuality on Mars do not apply here and pregnancy is not a problem.
CHAPTER 4
Mariada calls another community meeting, to discuss developments on the issue of technology.
“As you know, some of us have been frustrated about being dependent on Earth for our technology needs. We even thought of a defiance campaign of starting deep mining and developing industries and factories. We communicated these frustrations to the relevant committees of the U.N., requesting their proposals for solutions. At last, we have had a reasonable response that requires our approval.
Earth 2 will be used both as a settlement, which will grow gradually, mainly with research scientists, and as a refreshment station on the way to other planets. However, the ‘refreshment’ will be mainly in the form of fresh food, water and accommodation for a week’s holiday break.
Some of our younger members will be selected to join these missions, after studying training manuals and doing practicals in preparation. We will also be sent mini-laboratories and equipment to further our research here. We should make lists of our most urgent needs in this regard.
What do you think of this proposal from Earth?”
There is general agreement that this is a fair proposal.
“We can continue with research here, with at least basic equipment; we can be trained to join other space missions; we can open up a Backpackers Beach House Lodge, self-catering, and meet some new people for a change,” are some of the comments.
CHAPTER 5
Mariada and Alex both start to find that they are winding down in their respective careers and are not feeling as driven as they used to feel, with little time or inclination for leisure and pleasure. They have reconciled their differences about mining and technology, since the proposal from Earth was such a reasonable compromise. Mariada seems more happy with ‘vegetating’ a little, sometimes. They spend more time swimming and playing with the dolphins in the bay and studying the teeming life on their new planet.
They are rowing in a little dug-out dinghy up a river which is similar to the Keurbooms River. Mariada muses.
“I have been wondering how ethical it would be to have a baby in your 60s, especially if you have a good chance of living for another 30 years. Then again, you may be a better parent than you would have been in your 30s, when your career came first. And even more, if you don’t have the constant stress of living on Earth, and you can see a positive future for raising a child, would that not be an ethical decision?” (Mariada has been reading Plato and loves using the Socratic method of debate.)
Alex replies with a smile.
“I wonder who the you is that you mention? You sounds like you but it also could be me. And it sounds entirely ethical to me if you need a mother like you and a father like me. The only problem I can think of is the tiny matter of an egg, but I do know from certain tests done fairly recently that a fertile father is no problem. Where do you find a fertile egg?”
Mariada clicks her fingers as though summoning the final synthesis.
“Back in the 20s, before I went to Mars, I had some of my ova frozen, just in case something like this ever happened. I can get them sent here and I’m sure, with a small contribution from you, our good Doctor Zeus can organise a get-together which can be transferred to me. What do you think of that?”
“I have to admit that technology does have its benefits and, if it will help to make us parents, let’s start the count-down. In the meantime, how about trying the usual way, just in case that may still work?” says Alex, rowing the boat straight for a small beach with some shady bushes.
The eggs finally arrive and two are fertilised in vitro and implanted in utero. Zeus later tells Mariada that, when he introduced the sperm, after a few seconds two of the ova gave off tiny sparks as they were fertilised. It was these two that he selected.
A few weeks later, Mariada and Alex are swimming in the little bay. Mariada has developed a close friendship with the dolphin that greeted her first after their arrival. She has named her Corky as she loves to stand upright in the water, bobbing up and down like a cork as she ta
lks excitedly. Just then, as though she knows they are talking about her, Corky appears out of the blue. Mariada has not told her or, in fact, anybody else, of the implantation as she fears it may not work. Corky suddenly becomes very quiet, so Mariada comes closer.
“What’s up, Corky? Shark got your tongue?”
“You’re pregnant, Ada. Do you know?”
“I have been hoping, but how do you know, Corky?”
“I’m not deaf, you know. Anybody with sonar could hear and see that. But maybe something you don’t know is that you’re expecting twins. At your age. Just when I thought I was starting to understand you humans.”
Eight months later, Mariada gives birth in the shallow, warm water of the little bay, ably assisted by the doctor and Corky as midwife. The babies, a girl and a boy, are the first people to be born on another planet.
A few months later, as they sit on the beach with their babies, Mariada feels as though her grandparents are with them. She sees her grandmother at nearly 98 years old, a matter of weeks before she died, but radiating so much positive spiritual energy that she was already almost not of this Earth, and her grandfather at 99 years, asking her if she had seen gran because he had seen her nearby, even though she had died a year before, and then he also died.
And now her parents are the same age, and she realises that she has done all that she ever hoped to do.
A pod of dolphins swims up to them, showing great excitement, and saying that they will have visitors very soon. They notice a bright, pulsating light coming straight down out of the sky, materialising as a space ship about as big as an ocean liner. Aliens alight and greet them warmly and peacefully…
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: