The Music Of Dolphins

Sandy tells Mila that her “rescuers” named her “Mila” because it derives from the Spanish word for “miracles” (milagros). Indeed, Sandy continues, Mila’s existence is in itself miraculous because she survived in the ocean for 13 years.

Mila hears music for the first time. The first composition she listens to is by Peter Winter. Mila feels that music too is a miracle. As its sound waves gently envelop her, Mila begins to cry and then to dance. Mila wants to share this experience with Shay, but when she takes Shay’s hands and tries to dance with her, she realizes that Shay is not having the same emotional reaction to it.

Mila plays her newfound music every night, which keeps the rest of house awake. However, her music occasionally inspires Justin to creep into her room and listen along, albeit from a distance. Dr. Beck threatens to take the music away if Mila does not sleep or stay quiet at night. In response, Mila becomes defensive, remembering that Dr. Beck punished her by withholding the whale songs.