The Mermaid Tale

"Once upon a time, there was a little girl that lived deep beneath the sea. One day she saw the Prince of Kingdom struggling to swim. She saved him, and as she looked at the prince, she was enchanted. The little mermaid fell in love. She left the prince on the seashore expecting that someone will identify him. After the incident, day by day, she always glimpses at the prince. The little mermaid desires to live with the prince, so she decides to form a deal with the sea witch to obtain human legs in exchange for her golden voice. The sea witch agreed and said that her voice would only return if the prince would recognize and love her. Upon obtaining the legs, she decided to meet the prince. The prince recognized the little mermaid and decided to propose to her. And they lived happily ever after."

As the old lady finished storytelling, she closed the book and looked at the children's faces. The corners of their mouth were widened and the defined wrinkles around their eyes were present. Fully ecstatic. Eyes sparkle like the bright stars in the evening staring at the old lady waiting for more mermaid stories.

The old lady laughed as she was pleased by those sparkling eyes. "I will read fairy tales again tomorrow. It's already late afternoon, so you should head back home." Hearing that there would be no more stories for the day, their lips were drawn downwards.

"But we want more," said the girl. All the children agreed on what she said.

The old lady didn't know what to do to encourage the children. "Mmm…Instead of another story, I will answer one question you want. Is that fair enough?" the old lady offered.

"Yes!" the children answered in chorus.

"Okay, then what is your question?"

The boy at the back raised his hand and asked, "Is the mermaid real?"

"No, they are not real. Even though magic and magical beasts exist, there is not yet evidence of the existence of mermaids."

"But grandma, I heard that the lady of the dress shop saw a mermaid," the boy argued.

"Well children, I said I will only answer one question. It's time to get back home.

"The old lady stood there watching the children as they walked away and headed home. Suddenly, she noticed a young girl about three years old, standing barefooted. She was worried about the child's condition, so she decided to call the child.

"Child, wait…" As she was about to reach the child, a wolf appeared. The big white wolf gave a threatening and fierce stare at her. She immediately ran away because of the fear of being attacked by the wolf.

***

"Papa!'' the young girl delightedly said.

The wolf walked toward the young girl and said in a low voice, "Let's go home."

They walked side by side as the sun began sinking at the vast horizon of the sky, fading its color into gray. The young girl gladly talked about her day with the wolf.

"Papa, I had a good time. I listened to grandma, and the story that she read was fun. Also, I think humans like mermaids. Right, Papa? What if…"

The wolf spoke before she finished her sentence. "You know that not all humans have good intentions. We need to put a distance between us and humans," the wolf warned.

"..."

He looked at her face as she noticed the silent response. Her face was gloomy. If anyone can witness her face, it will look like he bullied her. "Don't make that expression. I will let you listen to that grandma's story again," Wolf muttered.

"Thank you, Papa," she said, hugging the wolf.

"What so good about that old hag. I can tell you a nicer story," the wolf complained.

The young girl laughed as she heard the wolf complaint. Her gloomy expression had been replaced by happiness, which made the wolf smile.

As they passed by a coconut tree, the atmosphere was filled by the sound of the waves dribbling onto the sand. Sea breeze calmly touches the skin. The infinite blue reflects the rising moon.

A sweet dreamy sight. Mysterious attraction.

The young girl walked towards the blue sea. The waves hit her small and fragile feet, surrounding where she stood.

Her small and fragile feet turn into a tail. A mermaid tail.

It was a sight that was incredibly magical.

He watched her as she swam in the vast blue sea and said, "Brielle, we are home."

The young girl smiled sweetly under the moonlight. Her smile made the scene more magical. A smile that was worth a thousand words.

That damn smile,

That would make you believe the fantasy.