Rob Howes wanted to spend a day at the beach. He1his daughter Nicky and her two friends, Helen Slade and Karina Cooper. They all went to Ocean Beach in New Zealand, where Howes was a lifeguard.
The group swam and bodysurfed. Then they saw some- thing2."Suddenly, there are these fins," said Howes.
The3saw seven dolphins moving towards them. The dolphins seemed worried. They4the water with their tails. They kept moving in a circle around the swimmers. Then one large dolphin swam towards Howes and Helen. Next, it dived(潜水) down underwater. That's when Howes saw something grey moving in the5.
A great white shark6underwater. It wasn't far from the people. The shark headed straight towards Nicky and Karina. Now the shark was not slow. It moved7! So the dolphins used their tails to swim even faster. Each one splashed its tail even more. Then Howes knew8the dolphins did so. The dolphins didn't want to9him and the girls. These sea mammals(哺乳动物) wanted to keep them safe.
The dolphins stayed close to the group10the shark left. When Howes and the kids were safe, the dolphins swam away.
"You want to say thank you and shake their flippers," Howes said. This isn't a fishy tale! These dolphins are heroes.
