Pebbles has a plan: distract the humans with the famous waddle and flipper wave while the colony grabs the fish bucket. It works — until a drone appears. The whole thing is being filmed. The video goes viral. By next week there is a statue of Pebbles at the aquarium. The colony is not sure how to feel. But they have the fish.

Pebbles takes one fish from the bucket, bows to the camera, and waddles away. Sometimes the best heists are the ones everyone sees.

Pebbles has never been on the big slide. Everyone says they are too small. But they have been practicing in the dark. Today they will do the big one. They stand at the top. The colony is below. They slide. They hit the water. They come up. The colony cheers. An elder says: no one has used that slide in fifty years. We thought we made it too steep. Pebbles says: can I go again?

By winter, the slide is never empty. Pebbles is the one who showed everyone else the way.

Pebbles finds an egg at the edge of the colony. It is cold and alone. They tuck it close. The elders say: it may not hatch. It has been cold too long. Pebbles says: I will keep it warm until we know. They sit for three days. Other penguins bring them fish. On the third day, a crack. A chirp. The egg opens. The colony gathers. The elders say: you have a chick. Pebbles looks at the chick. I have a chick.

They do not know it yet, but this chick will grow up to lead the colony. And they will tell the story of the penguin who would not leave an egg alone.

The humans play music and wait for the penguins to move. When they dance, they get more fish. Pebbles has been practicing. A twist. A flipper wave. A hop. Today the music starts. A human dances. Then Pebbles steps forward. Twist. Wave. Hop. The crowd goes silent. Then everyone is laughing with them. The human dancer matches Pebbles' moves. Soon the whole crowd is moving. Pebbles leads. When the music ends, the humans throw fish. So much fish. Pebbles takes one. They bow. The elder says: what was that? Pebbles says: diplomacy.

That night the video is everywhere. Next time, Pebbles wants to choose the music.

The colony is moving. The ice has broken early. Pebbles is young; their legs are short. They fall behind. The elders say: keep moving. Do not stop. Pebbles follows the footprints. Step by step. The sun is bright. The snow is blinding. When they finally see the colony again, an elder has waited. We thought we had lost you. Pebbles says: I followed the footprints. The elder says: we left them for you. One day you will make the trail. And someone will follow you.

Pebbles will remember. When that day comes, they will leave the clearest footprints they can.