This is Pool. I know… I know.. not an original name, but do not mention it to the people of Pool, it is some what a sore subject between the “fast”, “slow” and “ain’t going anywhere” cities. The members of the slow and static cities, have never left Pool. To them, they are adamant that life doesn’t really go on outside pool, and if it does well it’s not their problem. I can report this unfortunate attitude is reflected in every rockpool on this shore. This, mixed with ironically a very similar level (or lack of) wit across animals carrying cities slowly across the whole shore has led to an exact 50/50 ratio of rockpools being named either Rock or Pool. This is much to the annoyance and confusion of the more mobile “fast cities”. These cities lie on the back of fish, shrimps and even there is even rumours of a great crab city. As they are able to move between the Rock’s and the Pool’s they have informed me of their ongoing failing debate about changing the name to something a little more exciting. One shrimp even suggested calling Pool, “Sea Puddle” how… creative. But I doubt there will ever be a renaming ceremony for the city of Sea Puddle as limpets make up the majority of cities in Pool and well they are some of the most stubborn creatures on the planet.
But the cities themselves do have names. As you read below you will notice many are named to human based ideas. This is because the true names of the cities, or is suppose to be more exact the names of the creatures that the cities sit upon cannot be said in human tongue. But given my increasing interaction with cities, and my overall friendly demeanour (and by this is mean persistently hello until someone would talk to me) each had decided it is easiest to adopt its own human name for me to keep track of, and the results of these names have been quite intriguing.
Here are the city names and the story behind them:
Wellie (pronounce, well – eeeeeeee!!!) – this particular city is nestled in a bit of seaweed. It has no permanent animal protector and therefore not a spokesperson for its name. I have therefore deduced, that whatever manner of creature lives in these tiny homes in the city may not be too pleased with the site of a big ginormous boot. Therefore I have named the town Wellie (said with a mild scream) as I imagine them all screaming that at me whenever I am near. Unless the population of this town is nice and chill, and don’t shriek in terror at a huge boot, then the population of Wellie you have my sincerest apologies.
Leaf – A joyful limpet city carrier, but one who enjoys isolation and puns (if I were to choose a city to live in this might be the one). Leaf the limpet announced very proudly their name to me and quickly explained why, “because you won’t beLEAF how cool it is but also its never around long enough for you to truly enjoy the city because it will likely get fed up and LEAF” The limpet seemed particularly pleased with its somewhat long winded, but doubled punned slogan.
Zoom – The fastest snail city in the sea, apparently. (note to self, there is a dreamworks film that this snail would like, you should show show it to zoom next time) (double not to self – how amazing will that cinema experience be for the beings of zoom) (triple note to self – what is the smallest size of popcorn? flavour, defiantly salted haha).
Stick – Stick the limpet is good at what they do and doesn’t move a lot. They are best friends with Zoom. This simple name has defiantly…. stuck (howls of laughter).
First – My only encounter with the beings that live in the buildings of the cities, occurred near the city of First. I believe this may be a sight of particular historical significance. I deduced this after my first few visits making contacts with the other cities when I returned to find this sign roughly carved into the crustose coralline algae… “Founding city, first of its kind, tourist visiting charge 2 (and then a symbol I assume is their currency)”. I think humans and the small inhabitants of these cities might be alarmingly alike.
Tide – The city of tide is the largest, (although according to First, not the oldest). Their success is based on being master of the tide, and as such their name reflects that. I suggested calling Tide – Moon. Tide did not know about the Moon controlling the tides. Tide, got very overwhelmed. A long story, very short, Tide now has a small shrine to moon, is mostly nocturnal and listens exclusively to Pink Floyd or the nursery rhyme ‘Aiken Drum’. I want to tell him about werewolves, but I don’t want to have to risk opening the can of sea worms of the twilight films with Tide… best not to risk it.
Spring – Sibling city to Snap, Nosy, Whoosh, Nosy 2. If you’ve met a common shrimp you will know why they have these names. All common shrimps are the same, please just go out yourselves and meet a common shrimp – their little characters will fill your hearts with joy. The gossip they give you is fantastic too.
Gobu (Sibling cities with gobe, gobi, goba, and gobo) – they were all together when we decided names and thought this was hilarious. I am inclined to agree.
As for the tiny inhabitants of the cities of the shore, well I just do not know what or who they are. Neither for the animals that carry them. They are too small to see, to tiny to hear (so if anyone knows an underwater elephant let me know), and only apparently motivated to write giant signs for money which I am unable to provide due to the certainty that a 5p coin will flatten the entire city. But my time in Pool is not over yet and there is much more to share… but what’s the fun in telling you it all now (that and it is very late, writing Elizabeth is tired and lost all brain power, see Elizabeth is talking in third person, Elizabeth needs to go to bed, Elizabeth go to bed now *sigh… fine*) so that my friends is where this tale ends today.
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