in the future, where the oceans are vast sanctuaries, stories about sneaky whales have become cherished lore. before we embarked on preexploratory missions to save them, these magnificent creatures were already masters of the deep, making quiet disaffirmations of our early declarations that they were simple, predictable beings. instead, they showed us how to reactivate our connection with nature through their cunning and playful antics, teaching us the value of coexistence and the power of the unexpected.