There is a man and boy in a small row boat. There are headed towards the shore but a big sperm whale is blocking their path and has created a wave. The sperm whale is on its back with its mouth wide open towards the sky.
It is unusual for a sperm whale to be doing the backstroke with its mouth open.
Why is the whale on its back? Why is the whale in the boater's path?
They're very intelligent, dear. Try reasoning with him.
scene: a river description: There is a man and boy in a small row boat. There are headed towards the shore but a big sperm whale is blocking their path and has created a wave. The sperm whale is on its back with its mouth wide open towards the sky. uncanny: It is unusual for a sperm whale to be doing the backstroke with its mouth open. entities: Kayak, Shark. caption: They're very intelligent, dear. Try reasoning with him.
The whale is blocking their return to shore --- and because whales are often said to be "very intelligent" animals, the wife suggests that the husband try to negotiate the couple's safe passage to shore. It's funny because while whales are relatively intelligent, they aren't smart enough to be reasoned with in English, and so this solution won't work.