Write…Edit…Publish
A silvery sparkling sea rolled into the golden sandy cove where beneath the boughs of a swaying palm sat a bejeweled mermaid, Queen of all she surveyed. In her arms, she held her merbaby, Le Princesse de la Mer.
‘It’s time for you to go my child’ said the Queen. ‘For I am tired and you must take my place’
‘Where must I go?’ asked the child
‘Over the horizon’ said her Mother.
‘If I go in too deep I might drown Mummy’ said the child.
‘No my child, the creatures of the ocean will protect you’
‘How will I know when I am there?’ the child asked.
‘You will know little one. You will know’
And with that, the Queen was gone. The child looked around but saw no one. She was alone.
She swam through rainbows of fish and 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. ‘You have to make the journey alone in order to claim your throne’
She was exhausted and clinging to a passing piece of driftwood fell into a deep deep sleep.
A while later she awoke, rubbed her eyes and saw before her a sparkling rock, upon which sat glistening 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 azure waves.
‘Take your place upon the throne Princesse de la Mer’ said a voice from above.
‘For this is the place over the horizon, this is the place where you belong’.
Written in response to the prompt at Write…Edit…Publish which is ‘In too deep’
Picture ‘Mermaid’ by Rerekeena at deviantArt
Such a pretty story!
Thanks so much Mimi. I thought it would make a change!
Keith, such a beautiful fantasy. Loved it, the story and the Deviant Art. They do wonderful work, also. Thanks for participating in WEP once again. It’s wonderful to have you writing for us.
Denise
Thanks so much for your kind words Denise and thank you for welcoming me back. Having considered the prompt it occured to me that many of us would write deep stories. I always try to do the opposite in order to stand apart from others hence my somewhat shallow response to being in too deep!
A nice story for a kid to read
If you reach for something some day you might get it.
If you don’t reach out you never will. Thanks so much Deskperson.
Love your take on the prompt. Will not succeed unless we try.
A gem of a story, and the images you create…!.
I love it, Keith. Well done.
That’s very kind of you Adura, thank you
Hi,
I so enjoyed reading this story of hope. And for me, it is a story of hope. She’s on a journey looking for her purpose and she finds it.
Thank you so much sharing it.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
Thanks so much Pat
Hi Keith,
I am not sure that my comment took. It just disappeared. I will try to repeat what I wrote. Your story is a story of hope for me. A young mermaid on a journey to find her place in the world. Her mother has let her go. And so she swims on a journey that will lead her to her throne.
A beautiful story.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
No, your comment didn’t drown, but thanks so much for coming back again!
hi Keith – I liked how she had to find her way … to become the true Princess. I could see her conversing with her fellow sea-creatures … lovely – now I need to know what she’s going to do with her magical life … cheers Hilary
Another story for another day! Thanks Hilary
Charming adventure with a happy ending.
Thanks very much Deborah
Charming, absolutely charming! I love the image too. Did you paint it yourself?
I wish I could say I did, but no! I’m pleased you enjoyed it Olga.
Thank you for such a lovely read! A breath of fresh air!
…and a splash of salt water! Thanks Yolanda
A beautiful, sweet story. The voice was compelling. I loved the directions the sea creatures gave her. Such a long journey to the horizon.
Indeed it is Dolorah, thanks so much.
Wow. What a message, we need to put our heart and soul to attain that crown. The elusive horizon never comes closer on its own. Keep walking.
Indeed we do. If it’s meant to we will get there. Thanks Nidhi
This was an entirely charming take on the prompt! Loved the mystical answers the sea creatures gave the Princess. Lovely!
Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
A fast paced plot about the strange journey destiny sometimes forces upon someone. Great job.
Thank you Christopher.
You’re welcome Keith
Sure makes it all the more rewarding when the journey is completed without the need of help. Pushing on sure can get us there, not sure we’ll get a throne though haha A fun one through the sea indeed.
So true Pat. Thanks so much.
What a lovely story. It’s much more hopeful than the one I wrote. Very nice.
Very true Too! I’m pleased you liked it.
Fabulous verbal illustration of the adage to stop trying so hard, go with the flow. I loved how the star fish pointed in five directions.
Sometimes we all try to hard, especially I find when writing. I’m delighted you liked it Kalpana
The writing here is simply gorgeous! I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful story.
Kind of you to say so, thank you so much.
I think this would be a lovely story to read to little ones. Lighthearted and easy to read. A different view of ocean life. Enjoyed this.
That is what I had in mind when I wrote it Sherry. Thanks so much.
A lovely story, with such charm and slight whimsy about it. Great writing.