Living on the Pania Reef off the coast of New Zealand, a very intelligent and friendly purple octopus named Inky finds great pleasure in helping his friends. However, sometimes others take advantage of a special friend's generosity.

Grumpy Grouper, a newspaper editor, Christy Crayfish, a talented actress, and Larry Lobster, a restaurant owner, don't realize how much they depend on Inky's help until he is captured and whisked away.

If only he would return so they would have the chance to tell him how much he is appreciated.