Sara's Ocean Surprise

There was a cool salt breeze in the air. Sara ran towards the ocean, flipping off her sandals as she went. Plunging in, Sara savored the sharp icy sting of the water. It felt really good. She took a deep breath and swam underwater. Sara loved being underwater. It was very interesting. Now, she swam farther out into the ocean and saw colorful fish, seaweed, and a small coral reef. Cool! Suddenly, as she rounded a rock, Sara saw a fish tangled up in some seaweed. She gasped. That wasn't a fish, that was a baby mermaid! Sara gasped again. She could breathe underwater. This was amazing! Then her thoughts turned to the little mermaid. Swimming foward, Sara began to untangle the knotted seaweed that held the poor thing a prisoner. When she was done, the mermaid took Sara's hand and started swimming. Confused, Sara followed. After a little ways, she stopped, staring in awe. A city was built on the ocean floor. A beautiful palace stood in the middle. Then the mermaid pulled her towards the castle. Sara watched the sights as they swam slowly by. Mer-people of all ages were everywhere and all of them stopped to stare. The strange thing was that they all bowed to the little mermaid. Sara was mystified. When they reached the palace doors, she asked the mermaid." What is this?" The baby just giggled and pulled her inside a room. Sara looked around and saw two mer-people. They had crowns on their heads and were sitting on crystal thrones. They were obviously the King and Queen. Sara bowed. Then the Queen cried." Coral! Oh, where have you been?" The mermaid came foward and said." She save me! I was in a bunch of stuff!" The Queen looked at Sara and asked." What happened?" Sara bowed and replied humbly." She was tangled up in some seaweed and I got her out. Then she brought me back here." She bowed again and asked." May I ask who I have the, um, pleasure of meeting?" The King nodded and said." I am King Seastar and this is my wife, Queen Coraline. The mermaid whom you saved is my daughter, the Princess Coral. And you are?" "Sara." Sara answered. "The Princess is very cute. I hope she's all right." The King nodded. Then the Queen said." She has saved my daughter's life! Without Sara, Coral may have been eaten by a shark or she may have starved! We must show our appreciation." The King nodded again. "Let her select what two things she would have." he announced. The Queen got off of her throne and said to Sara." Please follow me." Sara followed the Queen into a room full of beautiful things. She stared at the spectacular sight and the Queen said softly." You may pick two of these things. What will you have?" Sara started to smile as she picked up and turned over headbands of braided seaweed, polished seashell necklaces and bracelets, small crowns of seashells and coral, and little mermaid figures made out of coral. Finally she made her decision. Picking up a seashell necklace of small pink and blue seashells, she said." I will have this, because the seashells are my favorite colors." Then she picked up a gorgeous mermaid figurine and said." Also this, because it reminds me of the Princess Coral." The Queen smiled and said." Well chosen, Sara. Just swim to the top of the water to get to shore." Sara swam out of the castle, clutching the precious gifts. She then floated to the surface. To her amazment, she was very close to shore. As she swam towards it, Sara knew that she would never be able to go to the mer-city again. But she had her presents to remind her of the visit.

Copyright 1997 by Chantessy