The Autobiography of an Octopus

An-Autobiography-of-an-Octopus

At times, I feel fortunate to have eight arms. So, I can slap eight people at the same time.

Flourishing in the deep splendours of the oceans, I am a mysterious-looking creature which is fascinatingly glamourous. Yes, you guessed it right! I am an octopus, an eight-armed sea animal you have always found captivating and wondered about. Usually, I prefer to stay in the deep dark ocean and not make contact with humans. If I ever suspect danger, I release a toxic dark-coloured ink that confuses the one trying to chase me. This way, I run away from the danger. I don’t intend to kill that person though, because I don’t have a bad bone in my body. Jokes aside, the octopus doesn’t have any bones in the body. Since I am a solitary, reserved octopus, making me laugh is a tough job. It takes ten tickles to make me laugh.

I am not one of those respected Pacific Ocean octopuses which carry venom. They live for over 5 years and have venom that can cause paralysis. I am the common octopus. But beware! I also have venom that can cause problems to your body if I bite you. Many might be aware that I have three hearts. Two pump blood to the gills, while the third circulates blood to the other organs. I am also extremely brainy, with total nine brains in my body! Plus, two-thirds of my brain is in my arms. Thus, all of them have a mind of their own. I flourish in the Atlantic Ocean. If I ever decide to rob a bank, I will be well-armed.

Aristotle, that Greek fella whom you all admire, believed that we octopuses are not smart at all. But studies have proven that we are one of the most intelligent creatures on the earth. Not to brag, but we are smarter than a 5th grader. Problem-solving and maze experiments that humans did prove that we have a good memory. If trained, we can differentiate between shapes and solve puzzles.

Now hiding under some rocks in the wait for the evening, let me narrate my story to you and open up the secrets of the octopus. I came into this world when I hatched out of my egg. Then, I was a so-called ‘larva’. I could barely see and move. When I looked around, all I saw was a giant octopus, whom I supposed was my mother, approaching me. She hugged the thousands of larvae, whom I thought were my siblings, around me. Soon, my mother fed me baby crabs. After two days of hatching, my mother met her death. From then on, I had to live all by myself. I taught myself to hunt, eat food and stay away from predators. Since swimming is exhausting and I crawl slowly, I prefer to camouflage with the background to avoid my predators. I used to roam in the waters all by myself usually but I kept in contact with some of my siblings. At times, I used to lend them a hand in hunting.

After a year, I was a fully-grown octopus. That time, I could hunt, stay away from my predators and survive in the tough world of the sea. Baby sharks and crabs would make a gustatory feat for me. I have encountered a human only once, and I had gotten scared at the sight of him. So, I immediately camouflaged under some rocks to not get noticed. Luckily, the human swam away after a moment. I have also seen some of my close friends get caged and hunted by humans. It was a sorry sight to watch them go.

I have also found my sweetheart, my mate. I will also lay eggs after about a week. Laying eggs will be a tiring thing since I will lay around 10,000 eggs, with the potential to make 80,000 legs. Till then, I will stay inactive and will mostly kill only one animal per day. I am eagerly waiting for my eggs and the day I will see my children. My death has neared, and I have turned old. My only wish for humans is that they maintain a healthy environment. Small fishes and crabs are my food. But, if they get polluted by the toxic garbage, other animals like me also suffer. This cycle of diet is endless.

Before I go hunting an animal for today’s meal, take a piece of advice from me: Be flexible, reach out, and cherish the sea life’s beauty.