You know, whales really are quite amazing creatures. I was lucky enough to see a whale once when I was on a boat in the Atlantic. Anyone fortunate enough to see a whale will never forget it. I remember seeing this massive creature rising to the surface. It was so large and terrible, yet so graceful and humble at the same time. It must be nice to be a whale, to swim without care all day in the oceans, with no responsibilities other that to sustain oneself. Whales are also some of nature's most caring and loving parents. It's a shame that so many of these gentle beasts fall prey to the harpoons of whalers. If only someone could help these poachers to see not only how beautiful these amazing creatures are, but also how important they are to the fragile ecosystems of the world's oceans. Many people don't realize how important the whale is to the environment, and that's a shame. Anyway, I digress; back to my story. My encounter with whales was also a very spiritual one. I think that if God were an animal, he would most likely be a whale. That or a puppy, because they're so cute! It was so amazing to see this gigantic creature rise up so silently out of the murky depths, and with one great exhalation spray water up twenty or thrity feet into the air! And slowly, with such style and grace, they would descend back into the great expanses below. Have you ever heard the song of a whale? It's a very sad and lonely song, which has the ability to stirr the deepest of human emotions. I think more artists should incorporate the melancholy ballad of the whale into their music, much the way Katatonia did in "Deadhouse," which is really one of my favorite songs! Killer whales, or orcas, are some of the most enchanting of all whales. I think the name "killer whale" is a misnomer because these creatures are actually quite peaceful and gentle. Killer whales are very intelligent creatures, which are often held in captivity and trained to perform unique stunts and tricks before large audiences. Many people take the whale for granted, without realizing just how wonderful and exceptional they really are. I think humans can learn an awful lot from whales, whether about the world, spirituality, or themselves!