37. Melody's Big Splash

One day, Marina felt very tired. Melody was talking to some stingrays. She told them about how she braved a storm to help Ariel. ''Rain was everywhere. The water went on my tail. I couldn't see anything, but I kept going. Wow, Melody, nice story! Well, it was nothing. It's very important to be determined. Tell us some more, Melody! Who are you guys?'' asked Marina. ''This bed is for King Triton's sea creatures. Scram! Stupid.'' said Marina. They're not stupid. Melody was just having fun. ''They ARE stupid. And you are too! It's very important to be determined. Hmph! Anyhow, Melody said, I love rain. I'm not scared.'' She ran away, singing. ''Once, there was a mermaid pulling wagons. She was very afraid of the rain.'' Nobody forgets the time I got stuck in a hole, incase the rain destroyed my tail fins. Marina said. Ariel was looking at a sign. Danger! No one should pass it. she said. That's the rule. Why is that? ''You might fall down something. I went past a sign like that, and fell into a mine. There's no mine here.'' Melody said. She didn't know that the track had sunk into the water. Silly sign. Melody thought. She had a plan. One day, she told her carts, will you push me when we go to the dockside? The carts were delighted. They laughed. My worker doesn't know, said Melody. Keep going! laughed the stupid carts. Melody was happy. ''I'll pretend I'm at the junction, but the carts will push me past the sign. Then, I can stop. I could do that anytime.'' Everyone knows you can't trust stupid carts. Keep going, keep going! said the carts. They bashed Melody's worker and driver off her sides. Oh, no! cried Melody, as she went past the sign. Melody was very frantic. Stop it!" Melody had fallen into the water. You are a very silly mermaid! Melody would recognize that voice anywhere. Please, your Majesty, help me, I'm really sorry. No, Melody. We can't save you until the tide is high. This should teach you to be careful. Yes, your Majesty. It was late when they got cranes to lift Melody. She was feeling very unhappy. Next morning, she was going to the fix-it yard on Marina's carts. Well, said Marina. Did you have fun in the water? No, I didn't. I am impressed. You need to be brave, Melody. It's very important to be determined. Maybe you'll like it much better next time.'' Melody wasn't sure there was going to be a next time. by Julian Ayele Cumberbatch