Why the Octopus Has a Big Head

This is a more recent myth in Karland history taken from a children’s storybook written during the late 1800s.

Transcript

Long ago, beneath the waves of the Great Big Sea, there was an octopus named Octavia Octopus. Unlike the ones we know today, Octopus had a tiny head instead of a big one. Every day, the sea creatures would square dance and play games with one another while their parents hunted for plankton. However, they would always leave Octopus out of the fun. It was not until later that she found out that she was excluded because of her tiny head. To the rest of them, a tiny head meant that she had no knowledge and was a fool.

Not wishing to be excluded any more, Octopus decided to go to King Whale II to seek out his guidance. To her dismay, no one would tell her where King Whale II’s throne was. They thought that she would make a fool of herself in front of the ruler of the ocean. But Octopus would not give up.

After many days of searching, Octopus stumbled upon a friendly minnow. Minnow was kind enough to give Octopus advice, but he did not know where King Whale II’s throne was.

“While I may not know where King Whale II is, I know someone who might,” Minnow said. He gestured to Octopus to look at a small metal object floating in the water, “Do you see this hook?” Minnow said. “I will need you to grab onto it.”

“That is a trap!” Octopus replied. “Are you going to trick me into getting caught and eaten by Man?”

“No,” said Minnow. “Man sent me down here to help him catch other fish, but not to catch you. A dolphin once told me that Man is kind to the octopus, because he would never eat one.”

“I don’t know if I can trust you,” Octopus said. “All the other sea creatures have been mean to me.”

“Don’t worry,” said Minnow. “Man knows where King Whale II lives.”

Minnow seemed to be the only friendly sea creature around. Octopus had little choice but to take a chance. She grabbed the hook and was pulled above the surface by a fishing line and into a boat. And there she saw Man, staring at her in puzzlement.

“I caught an octopus,” Man said. “I don’t like how they taste, so I shall throw it back into the ocean.”

“Wait!” Octopus said quickly. “Don’t throw me in yet. I must ask you something. Do you know where King Whale II lives?”

Man paused for a moment to recall, “Yes, I know exactly where he lives. If you like, I can take you there.”

Octopus obliged and Man sailed his boat to the centermost part of a great, colorful reef.

When they got close enough, Man turned to the Octopus and said, “The throne of King Whale II is just below here. The shark guards may question you, but as long as you speak clearly, they will let you see the king.”

Octopus thanked Man for his kindness and jumped back into the water. She dove deep below, swimming towards the king’s throne. It was a grand, golden palace with many crystal towers.

It was not long before Octopus saw a shark swimming towards her. The shark grimaced and said, “Who are you and why do you swim within these royal waters?”

The shark baring his teeth was a terrifying sight, but Octopus kept her cool. She said, “I am Octavia Octopus. I have a tiny head, and I was hoping the king could help me.”

The shark grinned and stared her down eyes wide open. Octopus feared the shark was about to devour her, but instead, he chuckled. “Ho ho ho! I’ve heard the tales. You get laughed at for your appearance, but the king is wise and kind. He can certainly find a solution to your problem. You may pass.”

The shark swam away, letting Octopus proceed to the inside of the palace. She made her way through a large hallway until she saw the great King Whale II atop his throne in all his glory.

“I am King Whale II,” he spoke proudly. “My sharks tell me that nearly everyone across the Great Big Sea makes fun of you.”

“Yes, that is true, Your Majesty,” Octopus replied while bowing before him. “They dislike my tiny head because it makes me look like foolish.”

“Then perhaps what you need is a bigger head,” the king said.

“But Your Majesty,” Octopus pleaded. “Would I not look even more foolish with a big head?”

“It will be a big head full of wisdom that will guide you into resolving your troubles. It is the greatest thing that I can bestow upon you.”

“That sounds wonderful!” Octopus exclaimed. “But do I truly deserve such a gift?”

King Whale II leaned back and smiled. “Even with your tiny head, you were resourceful and clever enough to find your way here. That alone proves you are worthy. Do you accept my offer?”

Octopus paused to gather her thoughts before replying. “Please, grant me thy wisdom, Your Majesty.”

King Whale II called upon his porcupine fish wizards, and they gathered around Octopus in a circle. In unison, the king and his wizards chanted, “Grow, grow. Your head shall swell. All will be right with your troubles quelled.”

Octopus’s head grew to be larger than the rest of her body. And like a great ocean current, it filled to bursting with knowledge. And now she now knew many things. Not just the truths of the world, but also its tall tales.

When Octopus returned home, the other sea creatures did not recognize her. Reintroducing herself, she said, “I am Octavia Octopus. I have received a blessing of wisdom from King Whale II.”

The other sea creatures did not believe her at first until she began to share stories and fables much like this one. The sea creatures learned many lessons about life and how to resolve conflicts. And of course, as we know today, Octopus remains one of the smartest creatures of the Great Big Sea.

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