19. The Big Load

One winter, Marina's worker said, We'll go early tomorrow. We have to take The Big Load. Don't tell Scuttle, but if we do it properly, King Triton will let us take his wagons! You look fine already! Ya-hoo! said Marina

That would be nice! All the boats are by the sea. Passenger boats, cargo boats, and fishing boats. They unload the fish where they need to go. They call this load The Big Load. At 5:00, Marina was ready. Everything was

covered with snow. Everybody shouted, and got to work. A green light shown, and The Big Load was ready. Come on, come on! said Marina. Roll, roll, roll. said the carts. ''That's good! That's good!'' said Marina. Smoke

was in the air, and the light shown brightly. Come along, come along! panted Marina. They had a wonderful time.

The light was going green as they went by. Her worker tried to stop, but it was no use. ''All clear, Marina! Let's go!''

They didn't know that the ground was frozen, and that they were delayed. A load of carts was waiting to let the Big

Load pass, and the worker and driver were having tea. The load is due. ''Don't worry. This is nice tea.'' The worker

stood up. ''Let's go, driver! Back to the mermaid.'' They got out just in time. Marina's worker and driver jumped out,

but she lay in the snow. Them, King Triton came. The light went down. explained Marina. ''Don't worry, Marina.

It's not your fault. The snow caused the disaster. I'm going to send you to a place where they look after sea creatures. They will get you a nice new shape and a bigger food box. You will feel brand new. Yes, your Majesty.'' said Marina. Marina liked her new shape. Everyone liked to see her pass. She looked very pretty.

Eek! she said. Thank you! Some boys sometimes see her taking the wagons. She does it so good, that

Scuttle is jealous.

by Julian Ayele Cumberbatch