The Mermaid’s Tale

Once upon a time, when they crossed oceans by sail, lived a beautiful mermaid, with a magnificent tail.

The colour of rainbows, encrusted with shells, her tail was magical, causing waters to swell.

With long dark hair and big brown eyes, she swam in red seas, under bright blue skies.

With a string of black pearls around her neck, she played with turtles on an elevated deck.

She hid within coral, playing hide and seek. She kissed a large blue wrasse in the deep.

Parrotfish repeated her every word; lionfish were often seen but not heard.

The reef sharks were enemies to many; the mermaid loved them as much as any.

When someone bumped into her, short of sight, she guided him gently, through day and through night.

She befriended an outcast alone on the reef. She found him a home; gave him relief.

She forgave the fishermen, who caught her friends, in nets deep and wide, where friends met their end.

She prayed for forgiveness for sins against nature. She helped them all, without fear or favour.

She rescued people from boats going down; took them to safety, before they could drown.

They didn’t know the mermaid aided their days. She did it for humanity, not for the praise.

She loved all creatures, great and small. She loved nature, her God and all.

Then one stormy night, when she was deep in sleep, the mermaid had a dream that made her weep.

A brutish army, building empires with slaves, swept away from their loved ones by terrible waves.

She awoke with a fright that dreadful night, eyes startled by a dazzling light.

‘Do not be afraid,’ said a calming voice. ‘The time is coming where you shall make a choice.

Follow your God and protect those that flee. Help the captives; set His people free.

I’m afraid this will come at a terrible cost, as thousands of lives will be forever lost.’

‘God’s will be done,’ replied the mermaid, at peace. And God was pleased that slavery would cease.

The very next day, when she stirred from a doze, the dream became reality, as the sun arose.

Thousands of people stranded on the shore, desperate to escape the chasing horde.

The leader, with his staff, stretched out his palm. The mermaid mesmerised; the sea perfectly calm.

She carried those poor people upon her tail, back and forth, transporting the frail.

She took the captives to the opposite bank, to safety and freedom, while the pursuers sank.

‘I am Moses. I praise your endeavour. Your kindness, we will remember forever.

Thank you for guiding us to the Promised Land,’ and he led the liberated across the sand.

‘No worries at all,’ said the beautiful mermaid. And with a swish of her tail, humanity was saved.