Sea Lion vs. Tourists

Dear Husband and I went to a party last Sunday where the hosts told this story.
The hosts were out for a stroll near the ocean when they saw two tourists too close to a sea lion. The hosts wondered if they should warn the group to stay away. Sea lions are not known for being nice to tourists, New Zealanders or penguins.

As the hosts walked closer, they watched as the tourists shouted, waved their arms, and threw rocks at the sea lion. Other tourists came over to take pictures. In New Zealand, we like our sea lions and we like our tourists. However when two tourists—with their cameras, credit cards and New Zealand book of wildlife—gang up on an animal who uses flippers to defend itself, we get upset.

Bracing themselves for a confrontation, the hosts strode over to the small crowd. But before they could speak, the taunting tourists turned to address the rest of the group.

“The sea lion is lying on our clothes,” they explained. “He can have the clothes. We just want the car key. It’s a rental.”

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