#polynesian folkways

[sohannabarberaesque]

As related by no less than Perry Potamus (father of Peter Potamus, know) in one of his collations of his experiences in the unexplored reaches of Polynesia:

And you thought Tarzan was a rather fascinating lad himself: On this particular kingdom of Polynesia Uncharted, I happened to come across a fair-skinned lad of about 15 summers, bronzed and tanned as if he were some sort of Hawaiian beach boy, who happened to be rather well-skilled in the native fashion of diving and surfing, among other native arts.

As he explained it to me, his birth parents tossed him overboard in a bedsheet not long after birth while sailing in the waters of the Pacific, presumably out of shame, but he couldn't really be sure ... and after what seemed like a week adrift, he washed up on the shores of this rather strange island, and was taken in by a local family out of as much compassion as native hospitality. And before too long, the oldest daughter of the house began teaching him swimming and diving technique ... eventually being able to dive down to six feet by his third birthday, ten feet by his fifth and by his ninth, a full 25 feet (as if that weren't impressive enough, he's had no less than two dolphin friends enjoying his company, indirectly teaching him much fascinating stuff)!

And when he's out diving, this fair-skinned lad can't help but find plenty of interesting and fascinating experiences, some of which are bound to get on the sensual side--which is how these natives actually enjoy things, and especially in a dolphin's company! One especially memorable diving lesson he had with his adopted family included the advice that dolphins are actually at their friendliest when they're in love, or show the urge for it. "They like to show they can be trusted in a sexual sort of way," as he explained it!

[sohannabarberaesque]

NEWS ITEM: U. S. President Joe Biden is to make a formal Appy Polly Loggy on behalf of the United States Government for policies towards Native American peoples which, for some 150 years, excused forcible removal of indigenous children from traditional communities, language and culture into boarding schools, many operated under religious auspices, whose aim was "assimilation" into the American mainstream under the banner of "saving the Indian peoples from extinction," with considerable suffering and humiliation ensuing.

*************

But then again, you have to hand it to Peter Potamus for such interest and fascination rooted in respect for the native peoples of Polynesia such as have yet to be subjected to the degrading and stupifying effects of so-called "Civilisation" which decimated their fellow Polynesian indigenous in Hawai'i. Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and elsewhere, aided and abetted by missionary influences which helped spread illnesses and diseases which such peoples were not immune from.

Such effects equating traditional nudity (especially when it came to swimming, diving and surfing) and sexual frankness with Sin such as was seen to require forced conversion to Christianity if they were to save themselves.

Because such communities which Peter Potamus has such fondness for, and even visits from time to time with reverential fascination for such traditional folkways, have yet to be seriously mapped, charted and explored. Which, as Peter Potamus is fond of explaining in camera more than likely, is just how these people prefer it.

And they love Peter for respecting such unexplored and still proud to be naked as Nature intended peoples.

Not to mention seeking to pass such affectation on to his nephews (Patrick and Perry II) and nieces (Pamela and twins Peggy and Penny) such as he enjoys taking along in such sojourns, taking in such a fascination for nakedness and sexual candor that would send contemporary mission workers apopletic, yet to show remorse for the acts carried out by their parents and grandparents in His Name and Service elsewhere without regard for the greater welfare of such peoples they were expected to minister to or their cultural traditions and folkways.

[sohannabarberaesque]

Meanwhile, in a rather interesting part of Polynesia Uncharted such as Peter Potamus can't resist spending time at

A LOCAL CHIEFTAIN, in conversation with the charmer himself: I do have to admit there, uh-- PETER POTAMUS, wearing of as much as explaining himself: The name is Peter Potamus, and I hope you won't wear it out! A LOCAL CHIEFTAIN, continuing the conversation: Oh yes, Peter; I do have to admit that you have quite the fascination about diving in these waters, as much as the company of our women! And I take it you dive quite well, Peter ... PETER POTAMUS: Hippos like me happen to be born that way, Your Grace! And can we dive oh so gracefully, much to the admiration of your locals! A LOCAL CHIEFTAIN: Not to mention such an interest in the worship at our underwater tiki shrine, and what fascinating offering of the life-force such as you bestow in such worship! PETER POTAMUS: Do excuse me when I acknowledge that I can't help but have such feelings in my loins while diving. It can't help but feel so delightful! A LOCAL CHIEFTAIN: I do have to admit that, even with my rank and position, I can't help but show such wonder and fascination while diving ... and neither can my household! PETER POTAMUS: Which, I have to admit, makes such islands as these rather fascinating in their own way and form! And doesn't wearing just yourself underwater actually feel so delightful and tingly all over?! A LOCAL CHIEFTAIN, chuckling at the thought: I'd have to concur ... Uh, how about leading my twin sisters into a dive in awhile? PETER POTAMUS: Rather interesting, now that you suggest it.... [You can picture the rest]

[sohannabarberaesque]

Meanwhile, near a remote waterfall of almost mystical reverence in Polynesia Uncharted:

PETER POTAMUS, on another of his sojourns of fascination for such a fascinating and unspoiled people and culture (and, know, naked in deference to the local custom and folkways): Aaaaahhhh ... and what, my gal, could prove more interesting between you and me as the evening approaches? A NATIVE POLYNESIAN GAL, with some charm in her voice: For a native like myself as was actually born underwater, with a dolphin serving as a midwife of sorts to my mother--not to mention picking up quite a fascination for the water since birth--plenty. [Short pause] Have you ever tried lovemaking underwater, after the native manner? PETER POTAMUS, acting like a rather fascinated boy barely on the eve of his flowering and looking for an opportunity to sow his wild oats, more or less: Plenty of times, my gal; plenty of times!! And what a fascinating feeling that can get to be, especially when you're a) naked as Nature intended, and b) having some especially curious dolphins watching! A NATIVE POLYNESIAN GAL: Might it surprise you to know where we natives of these islands actually enjoy the sight of dolphins in sexual pleasure, as if teaching us a lesson that "sex should feel good"? PETER POTAMUS: For some reason, I've noticed many of times in my travels in these parts that such peoples like yourself still respect sex as a wondrous and most natural experience, undeserving of such being distorted the wrong way! A NATIVE POLYNESIAN GAL, going all "come hither" wearing of herself: Why not just--follow me? [Whereupon we find the two in the pond below the waterfall, waist-high to each other essentially, in a scene most magical and almost Blue Lagoon in its sacristy of closeness and friendship in a native manner]

[sohannabarberaesque]

What more could Peter Potamus want among beaches in Polynesia Uncharted where he can just relax in line with the traditional model of Polynesian folkways?

[sohannabarberaesque]

During a journey of Peter Potamus to somewhere in Polynesia Uncharted via his Magic Balloon

PETER POTAMUS, rather casually: Uh, So-So ... has it ever been mentioned to you just why it is that primitive cultures and societies are as open and direct about sex matters as they are?

SO-SO, maintaining his place at the balloon's helm: You mean to the point of fascination, Peter?

PETER POTAMUS: Obviously, So-So! And while it's understandable that sex is essential to survival of a community and its people, in many of the more indigenuous cultures and societies having yet to be trammelled underfoot by "Civilisation," and the racist ends it serves, sex is actually seen as a perfectly natural and normal experience!

SO-SO, rather excited like an overzealous schoolboy: You mean like the Trollkins down South, in a way?

PETER POTAMUS: Rather interesting analog there, So-So! And I wonder how you came up with it ... but at any rate, such primitive peoples don't really need pornography to realise their sexual interests and desires; it's basically in front of them! And besides, over in such parts of Polynesia like we're heading to, traditional folkways look upon sex as an enjoyable and magical experience!

SO-SO: Ohhhhh ... how magical can it actually get, Peter?

PETER POTAMUS: VERY magical indeed, So-So! And what better way of relaxation could such natives have than just being among themselves and letting the sheer magic of "those feelings" release itself unannoyed, undisturbed and leaving just a wonderful sensation in the end! And what could feel more relaxing in the face of such unexploited wonder, even when diving and surfing naked are other choice distractions feeling wonderful in their own way?

SO-SO: Ahhhh ... just to picture love at its purest and most naturally undisturbed ...

PETER POTAMUS: Such a sense of wondrous curiosity I happen to like in you, So-So ... which can make otherwise predictably dull journeys seem easier to handle until we splash down just outside the Three Mile Zone and I make my way with my natural hippo-type romantic charm in pure, untrammelled Polynesian nature!

[Which can only end in rather serendipitious laughter]

*************

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[sohannabarberaesque]

Peter Potamus and Polynesia Uncharted: A fascinating fanfic avenue

When it comes to Polynesia Uncharted, Peter Potamus can get to be a rather interesting personality in the fanfic and vignettes offered in this vein from time to time. In fact, the two just seem to be made for each other.

In fact, as I enjoy picturing it, Peter would not be the sort associating with greedy, unscrupulous and obnoxiously race-conscious traders and pearl merchants who see such otherwise proud natives as cannon-fodder for the sake of profit, forcing the natives to push the limits of human endurance by diving all the deeper in search of pearls in general and that elusive Pearl of Great Price in particular, which in such exploitative circles cannot be spoken of without emotion rivalled only by misguided religious serving churches targeting mainly "poor white trash" as see religion more or less as a distractive from their lives of despondency and privation excused as pride.

Rather, Peter (in a trait perhaps learned from his late father, Perry Potamus) sees such unmapped and uncharted reaches of that mystical hinterland known as Polynesia with awe and fascination tinctured with respect for their traditional folkways to such extent as requires him to not disclose their true names and locales. Such folkways as are fond of overt nakedness and equally overt sexuality seen as equally natural and enjoyable, as well as a most unlikely sort of dolphin/human relationship putting the marine-life parks and dolphinaria to shame.

Particularly because such a bond is a natural one, helped all the more by the natives' fondness for diving naked out of as much tradition as comfort (and the dolphins obviously like the natives for that, as Peter Potamus has noted in several journals of his).

Equally worthy of note when it comes to Peter's "quality time" among Polynesians Uncharted: To avoid potential embarrassment unto the natives, Peter prefers parking the Magic Balloon to just outside the traditional three-mile line offshore, leaving his simian compadre So-So in charge ... and Peter makes his entrance in most natural form (as in naked, naturally) via an "old-school" Polynesian surfboard once given his late father out of affection, repurposed in the stylee of an Australian "kneelo" paddleboard. How wonderful an arrival can this get, fellow Hanna-Barberians?

Oh, and let's not forget about the diving and surfing and love among native women ...

Satisfied? Or have you possible fanfic ideas in this vein?

*************

@warnerbrosentertainment @tallcharlie @theweekenddigest @xdiver71 @archive-archives @thylordshipofbutts @themineralyoucrave @thebigdingle @screamingtoosoftly @princessgalaxy505 @warnerbros-blog1 @restroom @jellystone-enjoyer @joey-gatorman @warnerbrosent-blog

[sohannabarberaesque]

Think of this as a stock "father-and-son" conversation between Peter Potamus and his father, Perry, approaching wherever in Polynesia Uncharted the pair were heading:

PERRY POTAMUS, father of Peter, in a somewhat genteel, though not overbearing, tone: Peter, my son, I assume you know we're heading into another part of the uncharted reaches of Polynesia ... those reaches otherwise unknown to Civilisation.

PETER POTAMUS, looking somewhat giddy at the prospect: Boy, what an interesting time ahead! Plenty of swimming and diving and surfing naked and even swimming with dolphins!

PERRY POTAMUS, as the father and expedition leader essentially: Aren't we all excited about that prospect, my loving son Peter? At any rate, perhaps it's important to understand a few key points about where we're heading: First, these islands have yet to see the effects of Civilisation that the likes of Hawaii, Tahiti and Tonga have seen to the effect of their indigenous peoples being decimated for the most part, becoming essentially shells of their past selves! You might say, Peter, that we have such an attachment to such unknown--and yet proud--Polynesian peoples who prefer to be--

PETER POTAMUS, interjecting: "--Naked as Nature intended!"

PERRY POTAMUS: How right you are, my doting Peter! As a matter of fact, these peoples actually enjoy their nakedness, and are not ashamed of being naked, to begin with ... the fact of which should be respected in our contacts wherever in Polynesia we may be headed!

PETER POTAMUS, trying not to be cheeky at the ensuing reaction: So that means we'll be naked ourselves, too, right?

PERRY POTAMUS: Correct ... it's only natural that we "blend in," for the most part, and accept their lifestyles and folkways as they are. And we should think of ourselves not so much as explorers as unlikely vagabonds who just happen to have stumbled upon these islands and have taken a liking to them and their peoples, who have long accepted their nudity as a natural given dictated mostly by a tropical climate as much as habit! Which will be especially true when we're in the water, out swimming and diving especially!

PETER POTAMUS: I just can't resist diving naked among those reefs out there, or even swimming with dolphins while there!

PERRY POTAMUS: Not bad there, Peter ... as a matter of fact, we shouldn't be ashamed of our nakedness as much as theirs. In fact, to them, being naked while diving just feels natural ... and the dolphins they enjoy swimming with can't resist such nakedness; in fact, the dolphins would rather prefer anyone swimming with them to swim naked for best results!

PETER POTAMUS: I assume it will be likewise when surfing among them as well, no?

PERRY POTAMUS: As a matter of fact, these Polynesians will tell you that surfing of any kind is best enjoyed "naked as Nature intended"--and what's more, who could resist the sensation of "shooting through the tube" just wearing yourself essentially?

PETER POTAMUS: It just seems that the discussing we're having shows we just can't wait to experience life in our birthday suits, so to speak!

PERRY POTAMUS: For which we should recognise the fact that such Polynesians as live on what are basically unmapped and uncharted isles--at least to the "civilised"--are rather content with, and accept, their nudity as part of their culture, lifestyle and folkways. Not to mention such being, to them, perfectly normal and natural!

PETER POTAMUS: And I assume we'll arrive on these island naked--?

PERRY POTAMUS: As a matter of fact, we plan to anchor about three miles offshore, and paddle our way in on a surfboard that I happen to have handy for that purpose. Actually given to me by a prince of an island group not unlike such we are heading to as a show of appreciation for their natural ways--and actually made of koa wood, of which the finest Polynesian surfboards were made of!

PETER POTAMUS, excited at the adventure ahead: So what are we waiting for exactly?

PERRY POTAMUS, spoken like a true and caring father: Make no mistake, Peter my son ... there's no experience more wonderful with you than the times we have in Polynesia Uncharted! And I'm glad you can join me!

PETER POTAMUS: I'm rather humbled myself ...

[sohannabarberaesque]

Meanwhile, among the Naked and Unafraid of Remotest and Unknown Polynesia:

(Such is where we find no less than the ever-intrepid Peter Potamus, usually parking his Magic Balloon just outside the traditional three-mile limit and arriving to some island of the moment in a paddleboard as is essentially an "old school" Polynesian surfboard of koa wood, given him by some local king as a mark of admiration for his showing affection and respect for the traditional brand of Polynesian culture and folkways such as was known by and large until Western missionaries basically decimated same elsewhere ... and we find him with some curious royals in the tiki shack of some beach known to have exceptional surfing and diving.)

PETER POTAMUS, getting into his story: It might interest you to know that it was my late father, Perry Potamus, who taught me about these islands and led me to develop as much respect as fascination for the ancient Polynesian like yourselves!

NATIVE ROYALTY, who set up the conversation: And I do believe that it was my late father and grandfather as saw your father many years ago!

PETER POTAMUS: Do they, perchance, recall my presence in younger days?

NATIVE ROYALTY: I believe so ... and I must admit, learning from my father in younger days, that you were ever the precocious one, discovering what was fascinating about these islands and then some!

PETER POTAMUS: Which, I must admit, my father encouraged. And would it surprise you that hippopotami like myself are rather graceful and beautiful in swimming and diving underwater?

A NATIVE PRINCE, as was part of the conversation: So you're a HIPPOPOTAMUS?

PETER POTAMUS: How right you are! And you might be amazed to learn where I learned diving underwater amongst your most wonderful reefs from a rather early age! And learning to appreciate the dive wearing basically yourselves!!

NATIVE ROYALTY: I'd have to agree that we are fond of what you call "wearing basically yourselves." But basically, it's driven more out of comfort and tradition more so than sexual intent, as some must mistakenly believe ... yet we of these islands can't help but enjoy the feeling of the dive, or even riding the surf, at our most natural!

PETER POTAMUS: Too, I can't help but sense a fondness among yourselves for swimming with dolphins among the reefs ...

A NATIVE PRINCE: I'd have to say, Peter, that you're so curious about our habits--especially our swimming among dolphins most naturally.

NATIVE ROYALTY: You might say that such brings us closer to our natural bonds with the sea--and, in a way, sexuality. Did you know dolphins actually enjoy mating practically every day?

PETER POTAMUS: I happen to know that as a matter of fact ... and I admit that I couldn't help but sense awe and wonder at the sight of dolphin love while diving in these same waters, and just how deep the feeling must be. Even while swimming among these same dolphins with some rather wonderful locals besides!

NATIVE ROYALTY: And I trust you find the reefs rather wonderful and spectacular?

PETER POTAMUS: Now who wouldn't, especially diving around said reefs and just feeling like yourself amongst the coral just wearing yourself?

A NATIVE PRINCE: Which, if you ask me, is much the same feeling ourselves--imagine, just our bodies amongst the beauty of such wonderful sights of Nature as a coral reef and being impressed by the sight!

PETER POTAMUS: If it's all the same to you ... thanks again for welcoming me to your islands, as well as appreciating my fondness and respect for your traditional ways....

(Meanwhile, out of nowhere--)

A NATIVE PRINCESS, somewhat spunky for her age: Would you be interested in joining me for a little dive, uh--

PETER POTAMUS: The name's Peter Potamus, and yes, I'd be delighted to dive along with you! In fact, whenever I happen to be in these parts of Hidden Polynesia, I make it a point to regularly dive along with the natives as are welcoming of me!

A NATIVE PRINCESS: Glad you could join in on the dive!

[And what a dive it turns out to be, the princess and Peter Potamus going down to about 25 feet overall ... and even finding some natural playfulness with seals and dolphins as part of the dive, which does see its share of "those feelings" being displayed, yet accepted by such "old school" Polynesians of Peter's fondness without objection. "After all," the princess explained later, "such feelings do come rather naturally, and we can live with that!"]

[sohannabarberaesque]

Chance encounter in a hot-spring tub with Peter Potamus, the theme to "Adventures in Paradise" playing in the background:

MOI: Hoo boy! I cannot believe just how wonderful these waters can get ... (Turns around and notices) PETER POTAMUS--?!! Is that really--?

PETER POTAMUS, in his Luscious Glory of nakedness: Who else were you expecting, one of The Banana Splits?!

MOI: I apologise there. But in any rate, doesn't spending some quality time in a hot spring like this feel wonderful, soaking away the tiredness and tension of another day?

PETER POTAMUS: You can say that again ... and if you ask me, doesn't Polynesia seem rather fascinating?

MOI, trying to avoid being seen as an otherwise innocent schoolboy caught off his guard: I should say so myself. Especially such portions which have yet to be discovered and yet where the people are still naked for the most part, enjoying it that way while diving and surfing especially.

PETER POTAMUS: I believe you knew what I have in mind in this respect!

MOI: And who wouldn't?

PETER POTAMUS: And credit my late father, one Perry Potamus by name, for inspiring me to such a fascination with the hidden parts of Polynesia starting at a rather young age, you might like to know!

MOI: You mean your father had you along on a number of expeditions into the unknown parts of Polynesia?

PETER POTAMUS: Correctamundo! And if there's one thing I certainly remember out of those journeys into Polynesia at its most pure and wonderful, it would have to be his telling me, "Son--there are plenty of wonderful peoples out there who would rather be left to themselves than subjected to the travesties of falling prey to missionaries and misguided colonialism in the name of trade ... such is the Polynesia that I am fond of." Which he would instill a love of in me, becoming a little more obvious after he died from a Rare Tropical Illness; I didn't want to get too caught up in the grief and sorrow of loss, and besides, it's best to not give up the battle.

MOI: Which must explain some rather interesting friendships you must likely have with the royalty of such remotest parts of Polynesia such as you have acquaintenance with.

PETER POTAMUS: Many going back to my late father, I will have you know. And many of these exploits, I must admit, translated into limited-circulation books, films and videos considering the sensitive nature of such relationships as much as the islands themselves.

MOI: Yet all the while respectful of the local traditions as excuse outright nakedness and--dare I say it--open sexuality.

PETER POTAMUS: That sexuality, I must admit, is a rather interesting subject vis-a-vis such Polynesians. In fact, they're the first to admit that such sexuality is a perfectly natural, and yet enjoyable, thing which actually FEELS rather wonderful!

MOI: As would the sensation of diving naked outright.

PETER POTAMUS: How did you guess that? Besides, many of the native diving companions I've had admit that nothing feels more wonderful than actually diving naked ... even enjoying the company of rather friendly for the wild dolphins as diving companions on a regular basis!

MOI: Enough, then, to maybe imagine the Polynesians as long having enjoyed the whole dolphin-swim thing ... but in a most natural and yet comfortable way, as it were!

PETER POTAMUS: And, come to think of it, as it should be, in contrast to so many "dolphin swim" programmes out there, where you have several dolphins in a rather unnatural pool and the dolphins just seem to be bored despite the opportunity for interaction they have! With these very Polynesians, who could resist the beauty or the feeling of actually being close to such wonderful creatures, to begin with--sometimes actually being rather close and friendly to where these dolphins will let you caress them, and then return the favour accordingly!

MOI: But then again, I admit having the occasional fantasy myself of spending time in such Polynesian remoteness, just enjoying some quality time among such natives (the laydeez especially) in such a paradise. Including some time diving among the dolphins, who couldn't be more friendlier--and then some!

PETER POTAMUS, realising it's getting close to the recommended maximum for hot-spring time: Well, it looks like it's about time to leave the bath ... and doesn't it feel rather refreshing, stepping out of a hot spring and into the night air?

MOI: And I must admit that you look rather interesting wearing but yourself!

PETER POTAMUS: Besides, you can't always wear the safari jacket all the time; sometimes, you've got to seriously kick back and relax as Nature intended.

MOI: I couldn't have had a more intersting time than with you just now ...

PETER POTAMUS: The same myself ...

[sohannabarberaesque]

So much for Discovery’s new “reality” show “Naked and Afraid”:

Peter Potamus will be the first to tell you where the peoples of certain parts of Polynesia Not Otherwise Known to the Civilised happen to be Naked and Not Afraid; in fact, such Polynesian nakedness is considered natural and at once comfortable considering the climate and traditional folkways.

@warnerarchive @hanna-barbera-land @warnerbrosentertainment @joey-gatorman @hanna-barbera-blog @hanna-barberians

[sohannabarberaesque]

In Peter Potamus' case, he'd replace "the ocean" in the above with "traditional Polynesians," such as reside in those regions yet uncharted and unmapped, carrying with them a sense of awe and fascination such as we don't need to get overly pornographic about.

@loopy-de-loop @joey-gatorman

[sohannabarberaesque]

From a rather amusing conversation vis-a-vis Huckleberry Hound and Peter Potamus as involved his diving adventures galore in Polynesia Uncharted:

PETER POTAMUS, with quite the pride in his Joe E. Brown-influenced voice: Can you just imagine for a moment the sheer ecstasy, the sheer fascination even, of running with a modest-size piece of rock underwater wearing but yourself?

HUCKLEBERRY HOUND: I do admit such is a little on the Ripley's side of things, especially on your part, your being fond of the underwater and all that.

PETER POTAMUS, continuing: Yours truly has actually had some underwater rock running sessions in many parts of Polynesia Uncharted with some of the most wonderful examples of wahine to be had, such as are actually rather wonderful underwater as much as riding the waves ... they tell me such is one with strength and conditioning training!

HUCKLEBERRY HOUND: And how exactly do these natives enjoy your joining in on such exercises among the reefs?

PETER POTAMUS: Very enjoyable, I will have you know, even if they seem amused at my bulk ... not to mention their being rather appreciative of me for respecting their tradition of sheer nakedness being part of the routine, as well as the presence of dolphins looking in on the display in sheer fascination at the excercise!

HUCKLEBERRY HOUND: And about how fast would you say you could pull off a run underwater?

PETER POTAMUS: I've never really timed myself, especially considering that among such wonderfully primitive peoples, they have no clear regard for time, to begin with. Though I will say that I've held my own against many such rock-running wahine, who themselves will encourage me over for a rather magical evening with them!

HUCKLEBERRY HOUND: I assume this would include some rather Polynesian lovemaking.

PETER POTAMUS: However did you guess, Huckleberry? And in the morning, we usually follow on with an especially wonderful swim among the dolphins; how wonderful an experience can that get?

HUCKLEBERRY HOUND: Generally speaking, how young are many of these native rock runners?

PETER POTAMUS: I've encountered a few as young as nine, ten years of age, but mostly, it's in the teens and twenties that you encounter such wonderful partners ... and challengers for some serious underwater running! Which, I must admit, requires plenty of skill and some serious breath-holding capabilities--not to mention a willingness to be naked and unafraid!

HUCKLEBERRY HOUND: I certainly admit that you are a certainly fascinating kind of explorer there, Peter.

PETER POTAMUS: Though I must admit, Huck, that I've pledged to keep the locales of these isles a secret for the sake of such otherwise wonderful cultures and their folkways, many of which may seem a little bizarre to the "civilised" ... in fact, such underwater sport has been addressed in several of my volumes drawing on experiences I've had in such fascinating, if uncharted, islands, as if the diving and surfing wasn't wonderful enough!

HUCKLEBERRY HOUND: At any rate, it's always rather fascinating to converse with you and share such interesting spectacles as these!

PETER POTAMUS: And the pleasure's all mine....

[sohannabarberaesque]

On a dive boat chartered by Peter Potamus somewhere in the Florida Keys ...

(Wherein we find Peter Potamus and Jabberjaw sitting on the divers' deck cooling off their heels and having some banter as extends to this ...)

PETER POTAMUS: Doesn't it seem rather stupid, to say the least, to swim amonmgst dolphins in what turns out being a concrete tank worthy of a discredited dolphinarium not unlike Bubbleland--

JABBERJAW, interjecting: You mean THE Bubbleland as was the home of a certain Squiddly Diddly until they closed suddenly?

PETER POTAMUS, getting back to track: The same, JJ--if I may call you that.

JABBERJAW: It's alright by me.

PETER POTAMUS, again trying to get rerailed: OK--I think it's rather stupid to experience swimming with dolphins in a concrete tank which gives the dolphins claustrophobia, paying somewhere like $60 for the experience, when one could just go to some naturalistic dive spot and join the dolphins swimming naturally there for a rather natural dolphin-swim experience ... like I've experienced in past in Polynesia Uncharted!

JABBERJAW, getting rather gleeful: Ooooooohhhh boy, oh boy, oh boy--so what is this "Polynesia Uncharted" you speak of?

PETER POTAMUS: It's actually several small groups of islands scattered across Polynesia that have managed to evade the Corrupting and Destructive Influences of Civilisation--usually a code word for an advance guard of missionaries, followed by colonialist types with warped notions of honour guided by profit, never mind the traditional culture and folkways of conquered lands! The which my late father, Perry Potamus--himself an explorer as was driven by wanderlust carried over into yours truly--felt needed to be kept uncharted in the main because of the integrity and folkways of such peoples so resident. But then again, I'm fond of spending time in such islands every now and then....

JABBERJAW: And I presume the natives of those islands are practically naked, for the most part!

PETER POTAMUS: True, true, JJ! But they accept such nakedness as one with comfort, especially diving underwater among the coral reefs so surrounding ... which is where they enjoy the company of dolphins at their most natural, as Nature intended!

JABBERJAW: You mean those Polynesians actually swim around naked with dolphins?!

PETER POTAMUS: You might say, JJ, that these Polynesians are in rather wonderful companionship in their diving adventures ... they just feel so close to be friends, in a way, so as to be trusted to enjoy such a pure and natural dolphin swim as it should be enjoyed. Which earns much in the way of mutual respect!

JABBERJAW: Which is quite the contrast to yours truly--I seem to get NO respect! Nyuk nyuk nyuk....

PETER POTAMUS: Did I ever mention where many of these same backwards Polynesians also enjoy diving among sharks as much as they do among dolphins, particularly in a spiritual sense?

JABBERJAW, stunned at the revelation: Now you got me there!

[The two chuckle away at the thought]

[sohannabarberaesque]

One thing you have to say about Peter Potamus there:

Considering his affectations for such parts of Remotest Polynesia Not Otherwise Known to Civilisation, and knowing the harm the effects of Civilisation have wrought on otherwise proud (yet primitive) peoples with their own established culture, heritage and folkways (especially where the Luscious Glory of Empire came into play, sometimes through trick or deception), Peter Potamus can’t help but feel such an attachment to a Polynesia many of us can’t help but have fantasised about.

One of virtually naked people, unvarnished sexuality and a fondness for not only surfing and diving underwater wearing but themselves, but also for being rather close to Nature in so doing. In fact, it could be safe to assume, judging by the journals of as much Peter Potamus as his late father, Perry Potamus (whence Peter inherited such feelings of wanderlust and affectation), that such Polynesians may have perfected the idea of swimming alongside dolphins, and in close company with their natural habitat--a most natural way of so connecting, you might say, amongst potentially unviolate coral reefs with the odd underwater tiki statue representing native spiritual powers and forces.

Is it any wonder Peter Potamus can’t help but feel content in Hidden Polynesia on occasion, and yet be accepted and welcomed where traders and missionaries would otherwise be scared away?

@warnerarchive @hanna-barbera-land @warnerbrosentertainment @hanna-barbera-blog @hanna-barberians

[sohannabarberaesque]

Moth Mondays with the Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera: Peter Potamus “himself”

On the theme of “There’s A First Time for Anything and Everything,” we can imagine Peter Potamus describing his first experience with diving underwater:

It was about the age of four or five years ... which, I can say with certainty, was because it was one of the first times that my late father, Perry Potamus--to whom I owe my fondness for discovery and wanderlust, particularly of such parts of Polynesia otherwise unknown to the “civilised”--had me aboard his Magic Balloon, which I subsequently inherited, on one of his voyages seeking wanderlust and the esoteric in Polynesia. And I certainly admit that those voyages were definitely a learning experience in more ways than one, with much more learned directly than would be learned in school texts.

But it was on this particular voyage that I learned something that has been a definite passion for me all these years: Learning to dive underwater--and to like it.

Now, I do acknowledge that I had some early lessons in swimming soon after I was born, considering that among us hippopotamii, swimming is a natural and yet inherent talent. Yet somehow, my own father felt it might be worthwhile to learn diving as another interesting talent. And learn it in a spot equally dear to my heart as much as my late father’s ... in an isolated island somewhere in Polynesia otherwise unknown, and deliberately. Because, as my father pointed out, there are examples of established primitive cultures as deserve to be best left to themselves as something of a lesson to the otherwise “civilising” such as traders and missionaries who have otherwise ruined perfectly good primitive peoples and their established folkways--even if, at turns, their approach to learning, say, “the facts of life” can tend to be rather direct without being pornographic. Excusing, essentially, a rather candid acceptance of nudity among their folk ... and being rather casual sexually.

In line with the established custom of such islands, it was felt best that I learn about Polynesian-style diving naked, what with the natives actually diving naked more often than not and finding it rather delightful. And so it was one afternoon in a sort of “Blue Lagoon” setting, my father and I walked hand in hand to the shallows of the lagoon where I would take my first steps in diving.

And, after being shown a few limbering-up exercises designed to make the dive a little easier, and introduced to what you might call a “beach gal” type who would lead my introduction to diving alongside my father, I took in a deep breath for the dive--which, I admit, certainly calls to mind the Hippo Hurricane Holler--and, basically wearing only myself, I dove into the lagoon. And managing to find my father, I began realising something wonderful about diving ... the sheer feeling of being in essentially another world, which happens to be what it’s like. It’s almost as if you are basically free and light for all purposes and intents.

So, father, “beach gal” and I dove to a depth of about eight feet beneath the surface, close to a long-established underwater tiki statue of the sort native divers have long enjoyed ... and guided somewhat by my father, who was kneeling on the ocean bottom close to a rather beautiful coral reef, I would swim close to his chest.

And he just hugged me in admiration of my first diving experience.

Which our “beach gal,” a native herself, also took to in response.

I just couldn’t help but sense the sensation of something new and wonderful being discovered at such a young age ... and upon return to the shore not long afterward, Perry, my father, summarised the experience to me this way: “Just remember this, Peter: There is nothing more wonderful among experiences in the water than actually diving underwater ... and how it just feels so wonderful to be close to Nature wearing but yourself.”

Which I’ve taken to heart many times since, especially when crossing paths with these same Polynesians otherwise unknown to the world at large thanks to my father as much as myself. And spending time in these same islands among such wonderfully spectacular coral reefs as much as playfully friendly dolphins, sea lions, seals ... and “the locals” themselves, with a hospitality as can get to be very addicting. And which I am likely to share with a nephew of mine before too long.

“... and that’s the story from The Moth”

(The preceding is an independent fanfic feature having no official connexion or association with The Moth. For more information, please to visit their website ... and tune in to The Moth Radio Hour weekends on your local public radio station; check your local radio listings for the day and time.)

@warnerarchive @joey-gatorman