The tale of the Sea Monster (part one)

Synopsis of yesterday's episode: Bearnacle Bear was on an island, alone. He had to search for food and he didn't know where he would sleep. He was, however, grateful to have survived the storm that left him once again shipwrecked.

I walked to the other side of the island. Everything was green and aromatic there. I had washed up on the rocky side of the island. On this side of the island, there were birch trees, maple trees, ash trees, tulip trees, oaks, and sycamores. There were also white pine trees and cedars. The trees formed a canopy over my head. I then came upon orchards of apples and pears and peaches.
And then, I heard a voice. It was coming from the water. But it didn't sound like the mermaid. The voice was stronger and louder than the delicate singing voice of the mermaid. I walked to the shore and I saw a sea monster rising from the water. The sea monster was green and blue and seaweed fell of its back. It was the hugest sea creature that I had ever seen in all of my years as a sailor. I shook with terror, afraid that he would swamp the entire island and that I would drown alone and forgotten by all beardom.
Had I escaped from the humans' prison, just to endure a watery grave at the hands? flippers? tail? of a giant sea monster?
"Be not afraid," bellowed the large creature, larger than any whale that I had ever seen. "I can help you find your way to a better place. You are lost now. You cannot find your way back to where you came from."
How did he? she? it? know that I was lost?
"You doubt me," said the sea monster. "You think me malevolent."
"Yes," I said. "I am afraid."
I rarely admitted to being afraid so it surprised me that I would do so now.
I came from a family of bears who would never admit to fear. We were actors and adventurers and sea captains. I was descended from the famous Jean Bearymore, who performed on stage and in film.
The sea monster said that he would send someone to me who would ease my fears. He told me to look at the hills, but I didn't understand what that meant so I didn't move. The sea monster repeated his request. I looked away from the sea monster, and no huge wall of water hit me so I understood that I did not have to be suspicious of the sea monster.
Walking toward me was my first mate, the seasick sailor who had fallen out of the ship and was presumed drowned.
"Bearnacle! Come with me! You will love it here!" the first mate exclaimed. He did tend to speak in dramatic exclamations.
I wondered if I was dead and experiencing some sort of afterlife. After all, the seasick sailor could not have survived falling into the swirling sea.
Or could he?
(to be continued)