The Mermaid's Tale

It was her most favorite experience. She chose this month specifically, as like her, it was also named after the goddess Maia. It was around the 13th day of this most beautiful spring month that she chose to treat herself.

Under the cloak of night, she ventured out to a place she loves but rarely gets to. She had to time her arrival with the high tide, which allowed her to swim up to the beach...the shallow waters of low tide stretch far too long.

Secured to her hair with 1 scallop shell was a string of 25 pearls in the shape of a daisy, which glistened in the moonlight. "How lovely", she thought, gazing at the moon. "She's almost full. And her name this month is most fitting to her beauty."

Sitting on the shore, she imagined what the sun set looked like shimmering over the water and sinking into the horizon just a few hours ago. She watched as 6 crabs scuttled sideways by her fin. She loved being on the beach.

It's been 12 long months since she's had this opportunity, and 15 before that. At only 23 years old, she has only been to the shore a handful of times. Sadly, her visit had to be brief. She relished in the moments. 5 more minutes. She would allow herself that.

As true to her ritual, she plucked 18 sparkling strands of moonlight and fashioned them into a small circle, and stringing on the pearls from her hair clip one by one, she created an exquisite bracelet to adorn the wrist of someone very lucky indeed. She placed it gently on the sand beside where she sat.

She has hopes that this treasure may be found...her only way of communicating to the human world: "Yes, we do exist."

Suddenly, with a flick of her fin, she dove in the water with barely a splash, already dreaming about her next visit.