Ollie the octopus had only seven arms.
“The last one will grow out,” said the sea doctor on the day Ollie was born.
“But when?” asked Ollie’s mother. She was very sad.
“When Ollie turns eight years old,” said the doctor.
For seven years, Ollie’s brothers and sisters teased her about her missing arm. She was the youngest octopus in the family. Her sister Olivia was the oldest.
“Ollie only has seven arms because she is not a part of our real family,” Olivia told the other sea creatures one day.
It was a lie, but everyone believed Olivia because she was the oldest.
When the other sea creatures played games like tag and hide-and-seek, Ollie’s brother Oscar wouldn’t let Ollie play with them.
“You can’t catch a fish with only seven arms,” said Oscar. “Go and find a friend with an extra arm to play with.”
Ollie searched around the sea, but there were no friendly sea creatures to play with. She was very lonely.
One day, Ollie saw her brother Orlando playing alone in the seaweed. He was very happy.
“Guess what I found today, Ollie!” said Orlando. “A treasure chest. It’s from a ship, and it’s full of beautiful jewels.”
“Can I see it?” asked Ollie. “I’ve always dreamed of seeing a treasure chest.”
“I’m not showing it to anyone!” said Orlando. “Especially not a little octopus with only seven arms.”
Ollie went home and told her mother that she was sad. “Everyone treats me differently because I only have seven arms,” she said.
“Don’t worry,” said her mother. “Tomorrow is your 8th birthday, and then you’ll finally get another arm! You will never be lonely again.”
That night, Ollie dreamed that she got another arm. Everyone celebrated and ate delicious food. She was so happy. But the next day, when Ollie woke up and counted her arms, there were still only seven.
Ollie hid in the seaweed patch and cried. She was so sad. But suddenly, a sea fairy appeared. It was the smallest creature Ollie had ever seen.
“You are the lucky octopus I’ve been waiting for,” said the sea fairy.
“Am I?” said Ollie.
“Yes. Only the luckiest octopus can have three wishes granted.”
Ollie knew exactly what she wanted to wish for.
“First, I wish that Olivia was honest,” said Ollie.
“Your wish is granted. Now you have two more wishes,” said the fairy.
“Secondly, I wish that Oscar was kind.”
“And now he is,” said the fairy. “And what is your last wish?”
“Lastly, I wish that Orlando was fair,” said Ollie.
Before the little sea fairy disappeared, she told Ollie that she was the sweetest octopus in the whole sea. “I wish that all your birthday dreams come true,” said the sea fairy before she swam away.
When Ollie got home, her family was waiting for her. “Surprise!” they all shouted.
“I bought you a gift,” said Oscar. “It’s a beautiful pearl necklace!”
“Thank you,” said Ollie. “You are very kind.”
“I baked a delicious cake for you,” said Orlando. “And I invited all the sea creatures to share it with us.”
“You are very fair,” said Ollie. “Thank you for sharing.”
“I am very sorry, I don’t have a gift for you,” said Olivia. “I forgot it was your birthday.”
“It’s okay,” said Ollie. “You are very honest. Thank you.”
Ollie’s mother swam over to her daughter with a red birthday balloon.
“I am so happy for you, Ollie,” she said.
“Why, Mom?”
“Look, you finally got your eighth arm!” Ollie’s mother tied the balloon to her daughter’s new arm.
It was the happiest day of Ollie’s life.
