Mapping Cuttlefish Style

Let's ask that big old one how to do mapping, says the baby cuttlefish.

A big old cuttlefish is drifting close by.

You ask him, say the other baby cuttlefish.

Okay, says the baby cuttlefish. 

He swims up to the big old one.

Go away, little squirt, says the big old cuttlefish.

I thought you'd have wisdom, says the baby cuttlefish.

I do, says the big old one.

Can I ask you a question? says the baby cuttlefish.

Only if I know the answer, says the big old one.

What if you don't know the answer, asks the baby cuttlefish.

Then you can't ask the question, says the big old one.

The question is about mapping, says the baby cuttlefish. Will you know the answer?

Mapping, yes, says the big old one. What do you want to know?

How to do it, says the baby cuttlefish. I had a chance to go mapping and I blew it. Now all my friends want to go mapping.

Do you even know what it is? asks the big old one.

Something you do in a Nachoo, says the baby cuttlefish. 

We cuttlefish don't need a Nachoo, says the big old one. You've been with an old sailor. 

Two lobsters, says the baby. 

Then they had no need of a Nachoo. says the big old one. I thought you must have been with some humans.

Humans too, says the baby cuttlefish.

Right, says the big old one. So forget all you know.

Okay, says the baby cuttlefish. Now what?

Mapping cuttlefish style, says the big old one. Pay attention.

He drifts off towards a nearby reef.

The baby cuttlefish supposes he should follow.

The big old one undulates past underwater rocks, nooks and crannies, and clutches of unhatched eggs.

Looking and looking.

After a few metres he stops.

That'll do, says the big old one. Did you get that?

All you did was look, says the baby cuttlefish.

It's all in my head, says the big old one. And it should be in yours.

Is that mapping? asks the baby cuttlefish.

Yes, says the big old one. Now go away. I need to enjoy what remains of my life.

The baby cuttlefish makes his way back to the other baby cuttlefish.

So what is it? ask the other baby cuttlefish.

I don't think he knew, says the baby cuttlefish.