Octopuses have always been among my favorite creatures. They are stealthy, mystifying, and clever. When a friend challenged me to write a quartet for marimbas, I immediately envisioned an octopus sliding through a coral reef swarming with fish. The quartet starts with the themes of daytime at the reef, with the sun’s light streaming into the clear water, and hundreds of tiny sea creatures zipping through corals and anemones. After the daytime themes fade away, the murkier sounds of nighttime replace them. During the night, the nocturnal octopus emerges from its den and joins the coral commotion. Listen for its steady theme. I hope that this piece will remind people of the wonders of nature. It is critically important for us to protect our environment and prevent further climate change to save these extraordinary yet vulnerable creatures.