Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Whales of Gratitude


--by brighteyes, posted Aug 6, 2007

On Thursday, Dec 14, 2005, a female humpback whale became entangled in a web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat.  She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, binding her tail, her torso, and a line tugging in her mouth.

 A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farralone Islands (outside of the Golden Gate) and radioed an environmental group for help.  Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was in such bad shape, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her--a very dangerous proposition.  One slap of her tail could kill a rescuer.  They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.

When she was free, the divers say, she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudged them, pushing them gently around--she was thanking them.  Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives. The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him the whole time he worked to rescue her, and he will never, ever be the same.

(Story from Insight Forum)

When I read this I had to share ... the whale's gratitude and the love of the fisherman to assist her had me in tears ... but  they were joyous -- not from sadness!  :)

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Readers Comments

Caratyzna wrote: This reminds me of a story I read about a group of Dolphins circling some divers to keep sharks away. It makes me sad when people don't think animals can be kind, but I read about animals risking their lives for people all the time. I'm glad there are people out there who will trust those animals not to hurt them.
sammy wrote: this story reminds me of my kindergaten teacher miss beatrice, she gave me the joy of schooling i believed she was next to God whom she taught me about, i believed she was superior than my parents &i remember vivdly what taught has chaned my life
sammy wrote: guys you make my days with such encouraging stories sometime when feeling very low, i cant pick my phone calss i cant my bible and my cool jokes book, i normally turn on this site and refresh my day guys you cant i void this share with others
jaya wrote: Hi Brighteyes,
Such a touching story. The only language which the animals and humans share between them is LOVE and Gentleness. Thanks for sharing with us dear....
dancingDog wrote: I believe this story - never underestimate the intelligence of our fellow creatures here on earth ... and let's hear it for inter-species kindness!
kylierose16 wrote: That is a beautiful heart warming story bright eyes- thanks for sharing :-) Also wanted to thank you for the touching comments you left me - it made my day that it made your day ! :-) and also thanks for you kindness and genorosity in sharing your karma points with me :-) i was interested and appreciated you sharing a bit of your plight with me. i could so relate to much of what you said- particualy about the values you have accquired. it has taken me over 2 years, but i have finally learned to embrace my illness, and make the most out of each day i can. big hugs to you brighteyes, kylierose16 :-)
afriendlysmile wrote: Hi brighteyes
Such a tear jerking moving story (please pass the hanky).
That bond between animals and humans can be so special and trusting.

Another animal encounter that left a big impression on me was when a little boy fell from a wall around a gorilla enclosure and knocked himself out.

The crowd gasped in horror as the big silver backed gorrila charged towards him.

Instead of thowing him about like a limb sack for invading his domain,he gently patted the boy on his back and sat close to the him, chasing away other gorrilas that got to close until keepers could rescue the boy.

At the same zoo was a large mirror with a caption (You are now looking at the worlds most dangerous living thing )makes you think.

Lets hope the good like in your lovely
story can overcome the bad.
love and smiles
afriendlysmile:)




brighteyes wrote: Hi Guys...thanks for the wonderful comments ...glad there are other animal and nature lovers in our group....got any other animal story to share? I just" eat them up"!
astrocrazy2005 wrote: Thats so nice of the people to help the enviornment.
Love and hugs!!!
lovebug wrote: I don't think I could add anything to what has already been written. We are who we are. I personaly think we can learn a lot from watching the wild animal kingdom. There is the possiblity, they might have something we humans don't have . Like a graditude, just happy to be alive

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