Dot and the Whale

The film opens with a scene inspired by Moby Dick, showing a stormy sea and a relentless hunter chasing the white whale. This is revealed to be Dot's imagination as she sits with the book. The juxtaposition sets up how stories and sea legends guide the children's adventures.

Dot goes out to play with Nelson in his pool. He teaches her how to stay underwater longer and how to communicate underwater, and shares history and evolution of sea creatures. It shows their bond and the theme of learning from the ocean.

Nelson hears Tonga, the beached whale, calling from the local coast and dives into the ocean to investigate, with Dot following. Dot approaches Tonga and tries to communicate, while two boys, Alex and Owen, anger her by throwing sand and attempting to push her back to the sea. The kids begin to gather others to help in a larger effort.

Tonga explains that her family was killed by whalers and she has lost the will to live. Dot proposes moving Tonga into Nelson's pool to help recover, but they realize there is no transport facility for a whale. The community contemplates how to return Tonga to the sea safely.

A shady fishmonger takes interest in Tonga as a potential 'fish' source, signaling danger to the whale. Dot and friends sense the risk of exploitation. The tension around Tonga's fate deepens.

Nelson recounts that Moby Dick is a real, wise whale who could influence the sea. He suggests Dot ask Moby Dick to persuade Tonga to return to the ocean. They commit to journey toward Antarctica where the legendary whale is said to sleep.

Dot and Nelson set out to reach Antarctica to find Moby Dick and seek his counsel. They traverse dangerous seas in pursuit of the legendary whale. The voyage marks a turning point as they seek hope for Tonga.

They finally meet the aged Moby Dick in the frozen south, who remains unmoved to intervene. He believes Tonga must choose her own fate and that intervening might betray her autonomy. The encounter tests Dot's resolve and their plan.

Despite Moby Dick's stance, the kindness of the town’s children renews Tonga’s will to live. Dot returns with new resolve and starts forming a plan to help Tonga stay alive. The group begins to reframe the rescue as a community effort.

Back in town, Dot, Alex, and Owen phone transportation companies and launch a fundraising campaign to move Tonga to a suitable pool. The effort faces slow progress and skepticism from potential helpers. Still, they keep trying to secure the funds to save Tonga.

The fishmonger swipes the collected money, threatening Tonga’s chance to be moved. The boss of the transport company intervenes and stops the theft, restoring some hope. The incident underscores the dangers the kids face but also the power of community allies.

The next day Tonga relocates to a new pool where she can rehab alongside Nelson. The arrangement allows Tonga to recover while still sharing a pool with friends. The community celebration hints at a hopeful future.

In the epilogue, Tonga's health improves dramatically and she eventually returns to the sea. The film closes by underscoring the children’s role in saving Tonga and in sustaining the ocean's life.