After three thousand years or so the seal is beginning to leak, so it affected the exercise of my talent.

The priest broke the seal, unfolded the heavy parchment square and, in a high, thin, reedy voice, began to read.

Scientists are not yet sure why the seals - usually juveniles - began coming south in greater numbers.

Most investigators viewed the deaths as a one-time event that ended when the seals began their journey north.

The other seals laughed at this, and the young seal began twisting his head from side to side.

Almost all seals begin with a lamed, or l, meaning "belonging to."

Then her seal entered a deep pool of sluggish water and began, swimming through it with great difficulty.

And that it was for much of the century, until the seals began showing up in great numbers.

Most heartening, harp seals, hitherto unseen in the region, have also begun to make appearances.

Now the seals not only live along the coast but have begun to move inland into fresh water.