Fate works in mysterious ways and friendships happen in an unexpected time and place. This time, we get to take a look at another unusual friendship between a man and a mammal that loves hanging in the water. Their story caused quite a stir all around the world.
It took only a fish to get the animal to fall in love with the old man.
It was when eastern Finland was enveloped in white when the 65-year-old Seppo Laamanen met a new friend. The man lived alone in his house in the woods near a town in Punkaharju municipality.
One day, as he opened his door, he found a malnourished otter sitting on the porch, begging for food. He knew that the otter was trying its hardest to survive the harsh winter.
That is why Seppo decided to help the poor otter by feeding him with some fish and small worms. Ever since that encounter, the small otter began visiting Seppo’s house almost regularly.
The man would always wait for when the otter will return.
Every day, Seppo would wait at his porch just in case the otter would come back to hang out with him. It was less lonely at his home when the otter comes running to the door to ask for food.
Sometimes, the otter would stay to nibble at his food while on some days, he would run back to the water after receiving his food. Perhaps the otter wanted to share the blessing with his other otter friends. The otter has never disappointed Seppo as he would always appear at his home.
This became a habit for both of them that they became comfortable with each other. One day, Seppo came up with a name for his otter friend – Iivari. Since then, they have become inseparable friends.
People who heard about them have started visiting them at their home too!
Seppo and Iivari’s adorable encounter was heard about throughout Punkaharju, and they would often get visitors who wanted to witness their unusual friendship. However, Iivari is quite timid whenever Seppo gets some visitors from out of town. The otter would burrow a hole in the snow and refuses to come out unless Seppo calls him. Iivari would only respond to Seppo’s commands, which is quite amazing.
Moreover, the story of their friendship has spread out throughout the world as they were featured a couple of times on the internet. The YouTube channel Story Trender helped with the spread with a video that reached two million views in the span of four years. Who knows how many more would come to see this wholesome clip on the internet.
Seppo never expected this story to turn out like it did.
Seppo never expected that him showing a simple act of kindness towards a hungry otter would turn out to be this huge. He never once expected Iivari to become his friend or even their story to be heard throughout the world. Surely, the 65-year-old man was happy that a couple of interested folks would visit him in his humble home.
Most importantly, he has a small friend that would never refuse to hang out with him even when times are hard. Their unique friendship is something that you won’t see every day. Hopefully, their friendship will last a long time!
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