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The Perfect Pebble

Written by: Victoria Otero Edited by: Darrin Lin

Image by: Sophia Seifert
Image by: Sophia Seifert

On a chilly beach, towards the end of the Earth, a penguin spots it: the perfect pebble. It’s smooth, not too big, and not too small; almost as if it were made specifically for her. The penguin scoops it up in her beak, waddles back to the nest-to-be, and sets it down, completing her nest. Just then, SPLASH! A wave comes across the shore and scatters the pebbles everywhere. You might think that her nest is ruined, but in a penguin’s life, chance and randomness are always part of the plan. 


Some species of penguins, such as Adélie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap, build their nests out of small pebbles. This keeps the eggs warm and dry by keeping them lifted off the wet ground. Parent penguins will typically take turns guarding their eggs and searching for new ones to add to the pile. Their goal is to create a nest that can withstand wind, water, and waddling feet that may bump into it. 


But beaches can be unpredictable. Conditions like waves, tides, and storms can all roll pebbles to new spots, forcing the parent penguins to start over from scratch. Along with changes in environments, sometimes penguin neighbors can borrow (okay, steal) pebbles from each other’s nests. One moment of distraction by penguins can mean that they look back only to realize their nest has a few pieces missing!


Despite this, penguins are not powerless. They make choices when building to stack the odds in their favor. They tend to pick small and smooth pebbles that can fit nicely together. They build the wall a bit higher on the downhill side to ensure it is leveled. And, they will patch gaps quickly and guard the nest as the wind starts to pick up. Their smart decision-making may not stop surprises, but it helps them rebuild and stay resilient when nature and chance works against them.


So our penguin doesn’t sulk when her nest gets knocked down. She rebuilds. If there is another wave coming, she will brace and wait. If she senses a thief nearby, her partner will stand guard. Bit by bit, their nest will grow, as will their babies. By the time hatching comes, the eggs will be warm and dry thanks to their smart picking and a little luck!


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