Penguins in the Pipes
“The Penguins!?!” They both shouted it together.
“That’s right!” Grandpa gave his grandson a squeeze. “The penguins have made basements seem scary as a form of protection. They don’t want people down there very often, so they have created a place that seems scary for people to be.”
“What do they eat?” asked Johnny.
“They mostly eat dog or cat food because it’s easiest to get to. They might get into the trash if they smell fish. Some people leave a can of sardines out for them.”
“What do they do?” asked Johnny.
“They tend to keep the building clean and things working properly. That rattling of the pipes is them going through and distributing the heat while also making sure that the pipes are clear.”
“Distributing the heat?”
“Yes, Johnny. They have little shovels, and they use them to carry the heat through the pipes. In the summer, they do the same for the cold. Some members of the group will take care of the water pipes, too. Penguins love to swim, and they help to keep the pipes clear of debris.”
“How do the penguins die?” asked Johnny.
“Old age, disease. They are only animals, after all. Fortunately, they are safe from all of their predators living here with humans, except the most dangerous predator of all…” Grandpa paused for effect; Johnny’s eyes widened. “Humans. People will cause the deaths of more penguins than any other species ever could. Through negligence, mostly, but there are a few who willfully seek the destruction of the penguins, their habitats, and all that is good in the world. Those people are the ones that will ultimately decide the fate of the penguins, unless good people like you and I do our best to stop them.”
“But how do you know the penguins are real? You could be just making up a story.” Johnny frowned, and his grandfather hugged him again.
“Well, Johnny, I used to work nights as a caretaker for this very building. Late one night, I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I went to investigate because I was in charge of keeping people safe. It was always just ahead of me as its feet slapped against the floor. I got to the door to the basement just as it was closing. When it clicked shut, I decided that I better not go farther. When I got back to my desk, there was a herring in my chair. That’s when my brain finally processed what I had seen, and I remembered the story that my granddad told me when I was your age.” Grandpa’s eyes got misty as he thought about his own grandfather. “But you’re right; I could be just making up a story. It’s up to you to decide what the truth of the story is and whether or not it matters or hurts to believe differently than other folks.”
Johnny heard his mother calling from the other room and got out of Grandpa's lap. “Good night, grandpa.”
“Good night, Johnny.”
Johnny ran out of the room. Then he poked his head back over the threshold of the door. “Grandpa, could you leave some sardines out for the penguins, please? They’ve been doing a great job.”
“Yes, my grandson, I will make sure they get an extra special meal tonight.” Grandpa picked up his paper, and Johnny went to bed.
Penguins have been among us for centuries. We just haven’t noticed them. Now because of climate change, they are threatened, and all the good that they do will die with them. Save the penguins; save our homes.
“That’s right!” Grandpa gave his grandson a squeeze. “The penguins have made basements seem scary as a form of protection. They don’t want people down there very often, so they have created a place that seems scary for people to be.”
“What do they eat?” asked Johnny.
“They mostly eat dog or cat food because it’s easiest to get to. They might get into the trash if they smell fish. Some people leave a can of sardines out for them.”
“What do they do?” asked Johnny.
“They tend to keep the building clean and things working properly. That rattling of the pipes is them going through and distributing the heat while also making sure that the pipes are clear.”
“Distributing the heat?”
“Yes, Johnny. They have little shovels, and they use them to carry the heat through the pipes. In the summer, they do the same for the cold. Some members of the group will take care of the water pipes, too. Penguins love to swim, and they help to keep the pipes clear of debris.”
“How do the penguins die?” asked Johnny.
“Old age, disease. They are only animals, after all. Fortunately, they are safe from all of their predators living here with humans, except the most dangerous predator of all…” Grandpa paused for effect; Johnny’s eyes widened. “Humans. People will cause the deaths of more penguins than any other species ever could. Through negligence, mostly, but there are a few who willfully seek the destruction of the penguins, their habitats, and all that is good in the world. Those people are the ones that will ultimately decide the fate of the penguins, unless good people like you and I do our best to stop them.”
“But how do you know the penguins are real? You could be just making up a story.” Johnny frowned, and his grandfather hugged him again.
“Well, Johnny, I used to work nights as a caretaker for this very building. Late one night, I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I went to investigate because I was in charge of keeping people safe. It was always just ahead of me as its feet slapped against the floor. I got to the door to the basement just as it was closing. When it clicked shut, I decided that I better not go farther. When I got back to my desk, there was a herring in my chair. That’s when my brain finally processed what I had seen, and I remembered the story that my granddad told me when I was your age.” Grandpa’s eyes got misty as he thought about his own grandfather. “But you’re right; I could be just making up a story. It’s up to you to decide what the truth of the story is and whether or not it matters or hurts to believe differently than other folks.”
Johnny heard his mother calling from the other room and got out of Grandpa's lap. “Good night, grandpa.”
“Good night, Johnny.”
Johnny ran out of the room. Then he poked his head back over the threshold of the door. “Grandpa, could you leave some sardines out for the penguins, please? They’ve been doing a great job.”
“Yes, my grandson, I will make sure they get an extra special meal tonight.” Grandpa picked up his paper, and Johnny went to bed.
Penguins have been among us for centuries. We just haven’t noticed them. Now because of climate change, they are threatened, and all the good that they do will die with them. Save the penguins; save our homes.
Get your own penguin at Penguin Emporium.
