This is similar to a story I posted back in in 2008!
‘
.
A silvery sparkling sea rolled into the golden sandy cove. On a glistening rock sat a mermaid, Queen of all she surveyed. In her arms a merbabe, Le Princesse de la Mer.
‘You have to go, child’ she said, ‘for I am tired and soon you will take my place’.
‘Where must I go?’ asked the child
‘Beyond the horizon’, she replied.
‘How will I know when I am there?’ the child asked.
‘You will know little one. You will know’.
She placed the child at the water’s edge, then floated away. The Merbabe looked around but saw not a soul. She was alone. It was time to leave.
She swam through rainbows of fish and ‘cross forests of coral. But the elusive horizon came no closer.
‘How far is the horizon?’ she asked a dolphin. ‘As far as you can see and more’, he said.
Which way is the horizon?’ she asked a starfish. ‘That way child’ he said pointing in five directions.
‘How long will it take?’ she asked an oyster. ‘How long is a string of pearls?’ it replied.
‘I’m tired, may I ride on your back?’ she asked a seahorse. ‘No young one’ he said. ‘I can play no part in your journey’.
She was exhausted, and as she clung a passing piece of driftwood she fell into a deep deep sleep.
A while later she was awakened by the sound of music. She rubbed her eyes and saw before her a shimmering rock on which sat a bejeweled golden throne.
Mermaids appeared from every direction, then circled around her frolicking and laughing with joy. Forming a nest of arms they gently lifted the child high above the rolling waves.
‘Take your place upon the throne, Princesse de la Mer’ said a distant voice, ‘for you are beyond the horizon, where I once sat and you belong’.
Thanks to Sadje for hosting What Do You See?
What a lovely story Keith. This would make a lovely children’s book. Thanks for joining in.
What a kind thing to say, thank you, Sadje.
You do have a wonderful talent my friend.
Absolutely heartwarming and beautifully told, Keith. Brilliant!
Thanks for your kind words, Suzette!
It is a beautiful story and yes, it would make a lovely children’s book.
Thanks so much, Mimi.
What an enchanting story, Keith! I could easily see this as a children’s book. Beautiful!
Thanks so much, Nancy, I’m getting the impression I should consider turning it into a book!
Why not? It’s never too late!!
An awesome fantastical tale. Very enjoyable. The questioning parts were exquisite.
Keith, this such a splendidly enchanting tale! So well done.