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Professor BEEtoven’s Second Adventure: Penguin Island Read online

Let’s join Professor BEEtoven, the ambassador of intelligence, and his friends, Tad the Frog, Kooky and Keeky, the cuddly koalas, and Marvin, the floppy-eared dog as they travel to Penguin Island to visit the world of penguins. Written by Kristin Johnson

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“Gee, gang, this is an exciting day for me,” Professor Beetoven said to his friends, Tad, Kooky and Keeky, and Marvin as they gathered on an iceberg.

“We should have worn skates instead of these thick boots,” Keeky said.

“We’ll be just fine. Welcome to Antarctica, friends,” professor Beetoven shouted.

“Is Antarctica hot or cold?” Marvin asked. “That’s how I’ll know if I like it.”

“It may be chilly, but it’s spring here on Penguin Island,” Professor Beetoven explained, handing out warm parkas with furry sleeves.

“I don’t believe it.” Marvin frowned.

“Anyway, I’m excited,” Professor Beetoven said. “Penguins are so interesting.”

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“And cute,” Keeky Koala said.

“That’s right on the money, Keeky. They are cute,” Professor Beetoven said.

“Are they friendly?” Kooky Koala asked, putting on his green stocking cap and mittens and standing in the shadow of a large ice rock.

“I want them to be friendly,” Marvin moaned.

“They’re active and curious and will probably chase us and grab at us,” Professor Beetoven said.

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“Look at all those little people all dressed up,” giggled Tad. “They’re waddling!”

Everyone noticed a group of bird-like creatures walking past them, or milling around. The creatures did look as though they were going to a ball. They seemed to move fast even though they waddled.

“I think those are the penguins,” Marvin said, pulling his arms into the furry sleeves of his parka. “And I’m waddling too so I can get warm!”

“That’s right, Marvin, they are the penguins,” Professor Beetoven said. “HELLO! PENGUINS!”

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“Oh, look, Marcus, visitors,” Crystal Penguin said to her mate. She was eager, moving her long wings about.

“Let’s leave them alone,” Marcus Penguin said to his mate. “We have to get moving.”

“But I want to find out about them,” Crystal said.

“We need to catch up to the others,” Marcus told her with a worried look. He had little strikes of white on the black part of his face, and he groomed his belly feathers.

“It will just take a minute,” Crystal said, rushing off to see the newcomers.

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Tad saw a splash, and said, “Wow! Did you see that belly flop? Out of the water and on the ice!”

It was a fantastic belly flop, and the other penguins cheered. The penguin that had just jumped out of the water and landed belly first on the ice had a fish in his mouth. He ate the fish.

Crystal chased Tad, touching him. “You’re a strange creature! I’m Crystal and this is Marcus. Welcome to our family vacation spot. That was Windy.”

“I’m Tad,” the frog said a little nervously,

Professor Beetoven let Crystal poke him. “Pleased to meet you, Crystal, I’m Professor Beetoven and these are my friends: Marvin, Tad, Kooky and Keeky.”

“How do you do,” Marcus said politely.

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“Why did Windy just reverse belly flop?” Kooky asked.

Professor Beetoven said, “Penguins move better in water than on land—and they don’t fly. But they’re excellent swimmers.”

“Like me,” Tad said.

“You have feet like we do, built for swimming,” Crystal said, touching his feet.

“Where are all the penguins going?” Keeky asked.

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“Look, Crystal, we’d better get a flipper on if we want to keep up with everyone,” Marcus said.

“Let’s take them with us,” Crystal said.

Tad got out of the way so he wouldn’t be grabbed again. Professor Beetoven, Kooky, Keeky and Tad followed Marcus and Crystal.

Keeky said, “Marvin, don’t make fun of the penguins by walking that way!”

“I’m just trying to keep warm,” Marvin said as he waddled.

“You have a coat,” Keeky said.

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“Looks like fun,” Tad and Kooky said. So everyone waddled like penguins.

“We have to keep up,” Marcus said. “Come on, come on. We don’t want to lose the group, because I can’t see far away.”

“But we see perfectly underwater,” Crystal said.

Crystal and Marcus launched into a song. “As easy as penguins in the sea, let’s match along, come with me…”

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They had been walking quite a while. “Do the penguins own Antarctica?” Tad asked.

“Good question, Tad. Several countries, such as Australia and England, have claims on it, but no one country owns it now,” Professor Beetoven said.

“We penguins do own Antarctica, we discovered it,” Crystal said.

“Actually, several explorers did, James Cook among them,” Professor Beetoven said.

The group stopped. “Where are we?” Marvin asked. “It feels a little warmer.”

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“These are our nesting grounds,” Crystal said, feeling Keeky’s fur. “Penguins walk several miles to have our babies.”

“They’re devoted parents, too,” Professor Beetoven added. “They take turns sitting on the eggs.”

Crystal stopped and laid two large and pale penguin eggs right there! Everyone oohed and aahed.

“This is our nesting place,” Crystal said proudly.

Tad asked, “When will those penguin eggs hatch?”

Professor Beetoven said, “Crystal and Marcus will be parents in one to two months.”

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The group all groaned in disappointment. “That’s such a long time,” Keeky said.

“It’s all right, really,” Marcus and Crystal said.

Professor Beetoven explained, “Mother and father penguins take turns sitting on the eggs, so it doesn’t seem as long.”
“That’s right,” Marcus said. “I keep them warm while we walk to our next spot where the eggs will hatch. I keep them tucked in my knees, and my downy feathers help protect them.” He showed the gang as he placed the eggs in his knees.

“It’s as though he’s rocking them while he walks.” Professor Beetoven added.

“But we want to see them,” Marvin cried out. Crystal rubbed his floppy ears with her beak.

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“Baby penguins, baby penguins, come here!” Windy Penguin waddled toward Kooky and Keeky.

Tad and Marvin laughed. “I think he thinks you’re his kids,” Tad laughed.

“That’s silly,” Keeky said. “Just look at our ears!”

Professor Beetoven said, “Yes, but baby penguins are like teddy bears, and so are you.”

Windy hugged Kooky and tried to carry him off. “I’m not your baby. Sorry!” Kooky said.

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“Windy, I’ll help you find your babies,” Crystal said.

“And I’ll sit on the eggs for a while,” Marcus said. “Catch a fish for yourself, dear! You must be hungry.”

Windy and Crystal waddled off, staying away from the line of penguins walking to their nests.

“How do you like living in Antarctica?” Keeky asked.

“Don’t you get cold even with your feathers?” Marvin asked.

“[line from Marcus TK]”

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Marcus ducked and shielded the eggs as a large bird shadow flew overhead.

“What is that?” Marvin shuddered.

“It’s a Skua bird, a large gull that wants to eat our eggs,” Marcus said. “Springs brings Skua birds.”

Now the gang could see the Skua bird. It did look like a seagull, with a short bill, and its wings were brown.

“Go away, bird,” Keeky shouted.

Marvin cowered. “I wish you could chase him away.”

“He’s gone for now, he couldn’t figure out what you were,” Marcus smiled.

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Crystal waddled back to the nest. “Now you go have something to eat, Marcus. I brought you some shrimp to start.”

“Would you like us to catch you some fish?” Marcus asked Professor Beetoven.

“I want to learn how to feed our babies,” Crystal smiled.

“No thanks,” everyone chorused.

“We also eat squid and other small sea creatures if you’re hungry for that,” Crystal said, showing them a handful of tiny shrimp.

Everyone shook their heads. “No thanks,” they said.

Marcus gulped down the shrimp. “Tasty,” he said.

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“We need to make the long journey to our own nest,” Professor Beetoven laughed.

“Besides, Marvin’s freezing,” Tad said.

“I’m not cold, I just want to see the babies,” Marvin said.

“You can come back when they’re born,” Crystal said. “You’re always welcome on Penguin Island!” She hugged and touched the gang.

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“Whew. I’ve never gotten that much attention,” Marvin said.

“I’m going to miss them,” Keeky said.

“Don’t be sad,” Professor Beetoven said, wiping a tear. “We’ll see our friends the Pen-grins again.”

Tad said, “You mean penguins!”

“And I’m going to grin all the way home just thinking about them,” Professor Beetoven smiled.

PROFESSOR BEETOVEN’S MAGIC BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE

Although everyone knows about the Emperor Penguin, featured in “March of the Penguins,” there are between 17 and 20 living species. Many of these are endangered or threatened.

Antarctica is the only continent withotu a native human population.

Mosses, lichens and algae grow in Antarctica’s island groups such as South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.