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Children's Stories
by Margo Fallis
Stories for Younger Children
Which Way is Up?

Jimmy Jellyfish lived in the sea, way down deep. There were a lot of other jellyfish and other fish of all sizes. Jimmy had long tentacles that dangled under him. He used them to catch tiny shrimp and food for lunch. His big, googly eyes helped him see under the water. When Jimmy saw a shark coming, he'd drop to the bottom of the sea and hide in the seaweed and other plants.

One day Jimmy Jellyfish was swimming about with the other fish when a huge whale came swimming by. It flapped its flippers up and down and sent Jimmy flying through the water. He spun around in circles and became very dizzy. When he finally stopped, he looked around. There was no seaweed or other plants on the bottom and there was no sunlight on top. Jimmy didn't know which way was up and which way was down. He sunk down and down, but it became lighter instead of darker. When he went up, it grew darker and darker. "Which way is up? Which way is up?"

Jimmy wrapped his tentacles around himself and sobbed. He didn't like being there. He wanted to be back with the other fish and jellyfish. Just then the whale swam past again. His flippers went up and down. Jimmy shouted, "Watch out!" It was too late. Jimmy went flying through the water, spinning around and getting dizzy. When he stopped, he didn't want to open his eyes. He didn't want to see how dark it was, or not know where he was.

Finally he was brave enough to open them.  He was so excited to see other jelly fish, the seaweed and other plants and lots of fish. He liked it much better here. He was home.

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