Little Bergamot was terrified of seagulls. Their loud cries and sharp beaks scared him, so he always hid when they were around.

But one day, a small, shy seagull named Klava sat on a rock looking lonely. Bergamot crept closer. He sat quietly nearby. Klava didn't mind. And so, a strange friendship began.

Bergamot asked his mom to knit him a duck hat. He wore it to the beach, hoping the other seagulls wouldn't notice the shy walrus underneath. And it worked! Bergamot loved being part of the noisy, happy crowd. He stayed quiet, and they let him stay.

Then, one day, the beach was empty. No birds. No sound. Bergamot came back day after day, but the sand stayed quiet.

One evening, a familiar tap came at his window. It was Klava! She looked tired. She told him all the fish had disappeared, and the flock had to fly far away to find food. Life was hard there.

Bergamot had an idea. "Klava," he said. "Tomorrow, bring everyone back. I'll make it a feast."

The next morning, Bergamot left his duck hat on the shore — he didn't want to get it wet. He dove into the sea and worked all day. He used his powerful body, his real walrus skills, to catch fish after fish. By the time the sun was low, a huge pile of fish sat on the sand.

Then he heard them. The cries of the seagulls. They were back! They landed on the beach and saw the mountain of food. They were overjoyed! They flapped their wings in happiness. And in the middle of it all stood Bergamot.

Klava flew down and gently placed the duck hat on his head so he wouldn't get cold. The other seagulls gathered around, thanking him with happy squawks.

Bergamot didn't need to be quiet anymore. He didn't need to hide. He was just himself — a walrus who could fish like a hero. And that was more than enough.

From that day on, Bergamot became a sailor and a fisherman. He wore his lovely duck hat with pride as a reminder of the friends who loved him for exactly who he was.

Tilda Publishing

The Duck Hat