Here is the English translation of the funny and heartwarming story of the Harry family of Little Penguins, written for a 10-year-old audience!
The Flurry of the Harry Family’s Diary
Harry, the Nobleman of the Burrow, and Mary, the Queen of the Attack!
In the Little Penguin world, everyone knows the handsome Harry. He possesses “courage and wisdom”… or at least, that’s what he thinks! In reality, he’s a little clumsy. But when it comes to swimming speed, he’s a world champion.
The energetic and healthy girl, Mary, set her sights on him!
Mary: “Hey, Harry! I’m absolutely smitten with your muscular flippers and those cool eyes that gaze into the distance!”
Harry:
“Huh, me? Flippers? …Well, I guess I’m used to being called rugged…”
Mary launched her full-scale attack when Harry showed her his prized possession: the “Custom-Built, Security-Perfect, Riverside Burrow”!
Harry’s burrow was built with the wisdom of his late grandfather penguin, dug in the best spot right next to the stream. Perfect sunshine, great drainage, and ideal for hide-and-seek!
Mary:
“Oh, it’s a-ma-zing! This round entrance, it’s like a suite in a luxury hotel! Harry, I’ve decided! I love you! Love, love, I really love you! Be my husband!”
Harry was flustered by Mary’s assertiveness. But he was struck by her boundless cheerfulness and thought, “Hmm… Life with her will be a constant party.” And so, Harry chose Mary as his lifelong partner. A sizzling hot newlywed life, where the flames of love burned brightly, began!
Harry’s Tummy-Tank and the Arrival of Eggs!
The highlight of their newlywed life was Harry’s “Great Fishing Success Show.”
Harry would return with his tummy full of fish. While he was usually slender, when Harry returned from a fishing trip… he looked like a giant aquarium was walking—a real Tummy-Tank!
Harry:
“Whew! Whew! Look, Mary! Tonight’s dinner! It’s all a sign of my love for you!”
Mary: “Yay! I’ve been waiting for my Harry Mobile Refrigerator!”
The sight of Harry happily “GULP!” spitting up fish from his Tummy-Tank inside the burrow was pure bliss. Mary loved watching him, happily gobbling up the fish!
And then, the day finally came!
“Plop,” went a large egg 🥚, and “plop-plop,” a slightly smaller one 🥚 followed right after. Two treasures were born!
Harry and Mary started the “Butt-Warming Swap Game,” taking turns to keep the eggs warm. It’s a secret that one day, Harry almost accidentally warmed Mary’s ticklish bottom instead of the egg.
The Birth of the Dynamic Duo, Will and Beth!
A little over a month later, “Pik! Pik!” cracks appeared in the shells, and two cute baby penguins finally poked their heads out.
Harry: “Hello, my baaabies! Wow, that voice! They sound just like me! So cute!”
Mary: “Oh, Harry. They have my cute face.”
Will, born first, was slightly bigger and had his father’s talent for “ice skating” and “blazing-fast swimming.”
Meanwhile, his younger sister, Beth, was a little smaller but had double the appetite of Will! And not only was she quick-witted, but she had an outstanding creativity for designing the burrow layout!
Beth: “This burrow is a bit messy. Will, you’re in charge of that corner! I’m going to dig this soil and create a ‘Beth-Only Secret Hideout!'”
Beth’s designs were always innovative, and before they knew it, the burrow became deeper and wider. Mary was delighted, watching her children grow up with the same call as Harry (“Quack! Quack!”).
The Penguins Left Behind: A Fight for Life!
As the chicks grew, the amount of fish needed became mega-sized! Harry and Mary would happily head out to sea to fish, saying, “It’s like a second honeymoon!”
However, danger lurked for Will and Beth left alone.
One day, a mean-looking Sea Eagle swooped down from the sky!
Will: “Oh no! It’s that flying thief again!”
Will was too slow, and the eagle’s sharp talons grazed the feathers on his head!
Beth quickly U-turned back into the burrow and flung a jumbo fish from the storage!
Beth: “Here! Mr. Eagle! This extra-special tuna is much tastier than my brother’s bones and skin!”
The Sea Eagle snatched the delicious fish and flew away with a satisfied “Kee!”
Will:
“Whew… That was close! Beth, your Tuna Toss is the best! Thank you!”
On another day, something even more nerve-wracking happened!
A Fox with a twitching nose had its butt sticking out of the entrance, squeezing itself into the burrow!
Beth returned from a walk and was astonished by the sight of that fluffy orange behind sticking out!
Beth: “Aah! A giant orange lump is in our burrow!”
Beth zoomed at top speed to the nearby Sanctuary Shop! Flapping her flippers like a high-speed propeller, she cried out, “Quack! Quack-quack!” begging for help.
Grandpa Peter at the shop immediately sensed the danger when he saw the usually calm Beth moving her flippers like that.
Peter:
“Alright, let’s go! Fox, you won’t cause trouble in my territory!”
Grandpa Peter rushed over and placed a giant bucket “BONG!” over the fox’s rear. The startled fox shook off the bucket and darted away instantly!
Dad’s “Lighthouse”
After surviving the “one trouble after another” babysitting, Dad Harry finally returned with his Tummy-Tank!
Harry:
“Quack! Quack!”
Will, Beth, and even Mom Mary, who had already started warming the second batch of eggs, all shouted with joy.
Everyone:
“Welcome home, Dad!”
Harry knew better than anyone how tough it was to stay home. Sea Eagles, Foxes, feral cats and dogs, and human litter… the outside world was full of scary things.
Harry:
“You all did so well! The world is vast. If you swim 100 kilometers out, a completely different world opens up!”
Everyone listened with sparkling eyes to their father’s grand tale.
But little sister Beth stuck out her pastel-yellow beak and raised the most pertinent question.
Beth:
“Hey, Dad. If you go that far, won’t you forget the way back?”
Harry laughed heartily, “Ha ha ha!”
Harry:
“No worries! Your dad has an amazing navigation system!”
Saying that, Harry pointed to his own head.
Harry:
“There’s a big lighthouse right here that keeps telling me, ‘Head this way!’ while I swim. Will, you have one in your head too!”
Harry slowly continued.
Harry:
“Money (food), health, and home are all important. But the most important thing is this ‘Lighthouse in your Heart.’ It’s the best navigation system there is!”
Beth: “So Dad has a ‘Super Navigator that silly chicks can’t see’!”
That line made the entire Harry family burst into laughter! It was the final, noisy dinner where everyone was together.
The next day, Will set off on a journey to explore the sea, and Beth walked toward Pierre’s burrow, her penguin boyfriend two kilometers away, with new burrow design ideas filling her head.
It seems Harry and Mary are still warming their eggs full of love every year. And thanks to Beth, their burrow is said to have become as complex as a maze… or so the rumors go!
The End!
Copyright © 2025 painted and written by Michiko Yamada. All Rights Reserved.