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Hi! My name is Sleepyhead. I was born in the Mediterranean. I just love to sleep. One day, some scientists came into my cave. I was so deeply asleep that they thought I was dead! That's how I got my name. I was adopted by The Gate. They are trying to make my life easier and happier. Every month, I am going to tell you about my adventures in the sea and on the shore. I'll also pass on the stories I hear about the mountains, forests and rivers from the seagulls.
I am writing this letter from my home, a small cave. My daily routine is pretty relaxed. I wake up early and head out to the sea for some breakfast. I can't tell you how beautiful the water is in the morning sunlight. I spend the whole day swimming. I dive in and out all day long. I can hold my breath for a very long time! Some people think I am a fish actually, I am a mammal, just like you. When my stomach is full and I get tired, I head back home.
These days, it's not so easy to find enough food to fill my stomach. I often go to bed hungry. I have to share the few fish that are left with the fishermen. Do you know why there are so few fish left. A friend of mine at the Underwater Research Society-Mediterranean Seal Research Group told me that fish lay their eggs on the shore. I used to see these, but I didn't know what they were. Well, some fishermen dragged their nets along these shores even though there weren't supposed to and all the eggs were destroyed.
Sometimes I get so hungry that when I see a fisherman's net full of fish, I can't help taking a few. The fishermen get very mad when they catch me. My friends at the Mediterranean Seal Research Group told them not to, so they don't hit me on the head with wooden oars anymore. If anything, the fishermen should get made at the other fishermen who fish where they shouldn't. My friends did another nice thing they made fishing illegal in some places so that the baby fish can grow and later move to other areas. The fishermen are happy too. They call these places 'Money Boxes'!
So there you go. All this talk of fish has made me hungry. I think I'll go get something to eat.
Love, Sleepyhead!
