Image © Claire Fuller
When I was seven, we found a mermaid. Right there on the beach, forgotten by the tide, tiny and curled up asleep inside a cockle shell. We couldn’t wake her, though we tried.
She came home with us and lived on a shelf in our bedroom, with the shells and sponges, the driftwood and sea beans. We didn’t tell anyone what she was. She was ours.
Yesterday, my daughter showed me a mermaid she’d found on the beach.
‘Look after her,’ I said and then, too quietly for anyone except the mermaid to hear, ‘while you still believe in her.’
*
If you’d like to write your own 100 word story inspired by the picture, click here, or here to read other people’s.
Just beautiful
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Neil.
LikeLike
Ahh, very lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I wasn’t sure if it was a bit sappy or schmaltzy or something like that.
LikeLike
No, I don’t think so. I admire loveliness in writing. I can only ever write grim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a lovely story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked it. Thank you for commenting.
LikeLike
Sweet tale of childhood innocence. A shame we all have to grow up eventually. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a shame, isn’t it….,
LikeLike
That’s lovely, Louise – so much contained within your 100 words 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Helen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Louise,
What can I say? Such a sweet and lovely story with a last line that rends the heart.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It was inspired by my daughter who still hasn’t quite got over her longing to see a mermaid.
LikeLike
I loved the last line – beautiful story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m pleased you liked it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is wonderful, love the thought of those tiny little mermaids…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. I still haven’t quite shaken myself free of the hope that maybe they really are out there……
LikeLike
That’s just beautiful, not schmalzy at all. Too bad that we lose our sense of wonder and magic when we grow up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know – and the odd thing is that you don’t notice it slipping away. By the time you realise, it’s too late…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
So very sweet. Yes, do let us help them keep their innocence as long as possible.
LikeLike
Hear hear 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person