If I Would Meet A Mermaid

“I never saw any mermaid in my life. I only heard about it or saw it on television. I wish that I would meet a mermaid some day! Wow!! That would be so exciting. Isn’t it?”

I would request my dad for a voyage to the ocean. I would wear my swimming costume,

I would close my eyes and wish for a mermaid.

Wow! I saw a mermaid asking me, “Why don’t you join me?”

“Okay, that’s a great idea.” I heard myself saying.

I waved my hand to say goodbye to my dad and jumped in. I was amazed to see the beauty of the mermaid. It was so colourful!

Mesmerizingly I asked, “What is your name?” She replied, “Merlia, what is yours?” “Ashmita.” I said instantly.

I was worried about how to respire inside water? I raised my concern to Merlia.

She smiled and replied “No need to worry Ashmita. I knew it. I will take care of it.” and she touched my hand.

Oh my God! I became a fish now. I could swim, I could respire now. It was great fun.

We roamed around the sea. Merlia introduced me to a huge animal.

“This is known as Blue whale” I was excited to see the same and replied immediately. “It is the largest animal in the world.”

“Wow, you know so much about it” Merlia said surprisingly.

“It is up to 30 metres in length and has a maximum recorded weight of 173 tonnes and probably reaching over 181 tonnes” I continued proudly.

Suddenly Merlia pulled me behind a bush saying “Be careful, it is a Shark” I was astonished and frightened. I whispered

“There are more than 465 known species of sharks living in our oceans today. Sharks are an apex predator at or near the top of their marine food chains.”

Merlia looked at me adorably.

We moved on to explore the ocean. Merlia introduced me to her friends. We played Hide and Seek. It was amazing.

After a while I got bored. I asked Merlia “Hey, I am bored now. I am missing my tablet. I cannot play on my computer. There is no place to plug in. How can I play badminton? I don’t have hands. I even cannot paint! The colors will be washed away.” I continued.

“And what about riding my favorite cycle? Never!”

Merlia nodded. “Yes, I understand. But this is the water world.” She continued.

“Can you sleep while floating?”

“No”

“Or with your eye open?”

“No”

“Can you wiggle without touching the ground?”

“No”

“Or jump without falling down”

“No”

“You need not to wake up at 6 in the morning every day and never have to go to bed at 9 PM” Merlia finished.

“Wow! This would be real fun. But I am missing my home.”

"The caring words of my parents, Those funny moments with my friends at school, The learning with fun from teachers,

And my little brother – Prince!!!”

“I really need to go back home Merlia. Thanks a ton for the wonderful me we shared. I will never forget you in my entire life.”

Though she was a bit upset, she managed to say “Of course you have to go back Ashmita. But never forget to write about our friendship, our water life”

I nodded with pain and she touched my hand. And I became myself again.

I jumped out.

“Hey Sona, Mom must be worried by now. Let us go” waiting long for me, worried Dad Shouted.

Not really listening to him, I was imagining going inside the ocean again, I would be keen, but home is no home without Dad and mom.