For Marley and the River Kings

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In a small reef off the coast of Australia a little fish named Hotdog spent most of his time playing in the seaweed beds with his friend, Merl.

Hotdog was always getting in trouble trying to help out.

Whether it was breaking something trying to help his dads clean, or providing an especially unhelpful idea to the reef council, he was always doing something.

One day, Hotdog started hearing the rustle of rumors around town that there was trouble in the reef -- fish had been going missing a lot more frequently, lately. And so a town meeting was called

We are gathered here today to discuss something you may have already all heard about. There's been a boat fishing around lately, I know you know that much.

But what you might not know, is that some pretty bad overfishing by this boat has been occurring, fish have been going missing more and more. We don't quite know what to do about this yet, but the council and myself are working on something.

Hotdog had an idea.

That night, after the reef council meeting, Hotdog told his dads his plan -- he wanted to talk to the fisherman.

They told him no almost immediately, that it wasn't his job to get involved in such serious things, and that he shouldn't worry about it, the council said they were working on something!

Hotdog insisted, but they didn't want to listen.

He was sent to bed, ending the discussion.

Hotdog was determined though.

When he was sure his parents were asleep, he swam out the window and to his friend Merl's house, he was sure she'd listen to him -- maybe even help him!

He got there and went straight to her window, calling her name until she came out, still rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.