Amos Latteier
3039 S.E. Alder
Portland, OR 97214

Keiko
Oregon Coast Aquarium
2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Road
Newport, OR 97365

Dear Keiko:

First let me say that I am a big fan of yours. Keiko, you inspire us with your grace and your epic struggle towards freedom. I am so pleased that you have come north to try to get well enough to return to the wild.

But the reason I am writing today is because I am concerned for you. As I was reading about your progress in the Oregonian, I was stuck by your droopy dorsal fin. I must reassure you that it is not immediately apparent, and certainly most of your fans probably have never noticed it. Still, I cannot help but think that it must be secretly quite a disappointment to you. Orcas can offer so much pleasure to their fans no matter what the state of their dorsal fin, and yet our culture places so much emphasis on a firm dorsal fin. For humans, most of a sea animal is hidden beneath the surface, and so they rely on the protruding dorsal fin to identify and characterize a sea animal.

But despite these troubling prejudices, I am writing to tell you that there is hope. In fact, with proper care, almost any orca can enjoy a normally functioning dorsal fin. Perhaps you have heard of the remarkable powers of ginseng. Well, I'd like to tell you that the rumors are true--it can offer help for your sort of problem. As with any treatment, ginseng is no panacea, and so I urge you to research the matter for yourself. However, I am enclosing a packet of ginseng with this letter so that you can experience firsthand its revitalizing powers.

I hope that you take this message from a concerned fan seriously, because I am not only an advocate of ginseng, but a user as well.

I wish you good health and the best of luck in your new life here in Oregon.

Sincerely,

Amos Latteier