The orange coral reef was where all the friendly sea creatures lived. Jellyfish floated gently
like glowing lanterns, and crabs and lobsters stood at the entrance gates like tiny underwater guards.

The colours in the reef were magnificent—brilliant oranges, soft pinks, and glowing golds
that shimmered in the water. Fish swirled around the three friends as they passed through
the gates, and curious seahorses paused to ask how their day was going.

“It’s magical here, isn’t it, Auby?” Forna said excitedly.

“It’s awesome!” Peekay replied, and he quickly swam off toward a group of prawns who were happily eating seaweed outside the busy Coral Café.

Forna and Auby swam deeper into the reef, towards the darker waters where tiny lights
flickered like underwater stars hidden among the coral.

Then Auby noticed something. A large creature was swimming towards them.
It was a big turtle, and it stopped right in front of Auby and looked him straight in the eyes.

“Boy, let me see your flippers,” the large turtle said firmly.

Auby held out his flippers, a little nervously. After studying them carefully, the large turtle’s expression softened into a warm smile.

“Welcome to the orange coral reef, son,” he said.
Auby’s heart skipped.
“Are you my daddy?” Auby asked softly.
“I am,” the large turtle replied. “You have my markings on your flippers.”

Knowing Auby was safe with his daddy, Forna gently swam away to find her friends, giving
them a little wave as she left Auby and his daddy together. Auby tucked himself under his daddy’s strong front flipper, and together they swam slowly through the reef, side by side.

His daddy told him stories as they went.

Every three years, Auby’s mummy would return to the beach to lay her eggs. She would
have around one hundred baby turtles at a time. And Auby, it turned out, had thousands of
brothers and sisters scattered across the ocean. Auby felt his heart glow even more with happiness.

He now had two wonderful best friends, Peekay and Forna, and his daddy beside him. He
had a home in the orange coral reef—and soon, his mummy would come to see him too.