Napuljski zaljev

Polly je letjela iznad Napuljskog zaljeva. Voda je bila zelena. S druge strane zaljeva nalazio se Vezuv. Zrak je mirisao na sol i dizel.

Polly flew over the Bay of Naples. The water was green. Mount Vesuvius was across the bay. The air smelled of salt and diesel.

Pratila je obalu. Vidjela je rublje na balkonima i skutere na ulicama.

She followed the shore. She saw laundry on balconies and scooters in the streets.

Njezino odredište bila je stara zgrada uz vodu. Mali znak je pisao: STAZIONE ZOOLOGICA ANTON DOHRN, 1872.

Her destination was an old building by the water. A small sign read: STAZIONE ZOOLOGICA ANTON DOHRN, 1872.

Ovo je najstariji institut za morsku biologiju na svijetu. Istražuje hobotnice od 1873. godine.

This is the oldest marine biology institute in the world. It has studied octopuses since 1873.

Polly se smjestila na ogradu. Mlada istraživačica u bijelom kutu otvorila je stražnja vrata. Nasmiješila se. "Uđi."

Polly perched on the railing. A young researcher in a lab coat opened the back door. She smiled. "Come in."

Zgrada je mirisala na more. Dugi hodnici imali su staklene akvarije s obje strane. Polly je vidjela srdele i malu hobotnicu.

The building smelled like the sea. Long corridors had glass tanks on both sides. Polly saw sardines and a small octopus.

Istraživačica se zvala Chiara. "Hobotnice su najpametnije životinje ovdje," rekla je.

The researcher's name was Chiara. "The octopuses are the smartest animals here," she said.

Došle su do visokog akvarija. Znak je pisao PASTA, 2.3KG, GPO. Unutra je bila divovska pacifička hobotnica. Savila se u cijev. Jedno zlatno oko promatralo je.

They came to a tall tank. The sign said PASTA, 2.3KG, GPO. Inside was a giant Pacific octopus. It folded itself into a pipe. One golden eye watched.

"Pasta," rekla je Chiara, "upoznaj Polly."

"Pasta," Chiara said, "meet Polly."

Hobotnica se nije pomaknula. Ali je promatrala.

The octopus did not move. But it watched.

"Možeš se smjestiti na rub," rekla je Chiara. "Neće te poprskati."

"You can perch on the rim," Chiara said. "She will not splash you."