11. Ariel and the Man

Ariel the little mermaid loves her branch. She thinks it is

the most important thing in the world. Her stuff, think so too. Her stuff can take a lot of people. They both need new skin, but Ariel loves them all the same. They sing songs while swimming about all day. Ariel sings, ''Come on, we'll be late! Come on, we'll be late! And her stuff says, We're coming, we're coming!'' They don't mind what Ariel says, for

they know that she is only trying to make King Triton proud.

And they know if Ariel is angry, she's not angry with them.

One day, they were waiting for Marina's wagons. That made Ariel VERY angry. I can't run my branch, if Marina is always being late! She doesn't know that King Triton is

counting on me! Ariel went, Eeek! She wanted to go, but she had

to wait for Marina. At last, Marina arrived. What were you doing? Ariel asked.

''Oh, my! My tail fins are feeling funny! No one cares about me! You don't know''

what I go through! Oh, trash!'' said Ariel. ''You just need excercise and a new

shape!'' The whistle blew, and Ariel left. But a man had been left behind!''

A flag waved to stop Ariel, but she kept on going. Hurry, hurry! said Ariel.

But her stuff didn't like it. I've lost a man! said one of them. The other tried

to get Ariel's attention. A man is lost! it said. But Ariel ignored it. Her stuff tried to

put on the stoppers, but to no avail. Our man is lost! they said. Ariel then stopped. Oh! said Ariel. What's

going on? Who knows?'' said the worker. The man will soon come. They waited for a long time. ''Eeeek! Where's our man?" said Ariel. We've lost him! said her stuff. Everyone waited, and the man came. He was both hot and tired. He had something cool to drink. I'm so sorry. Ariel told the man. It's not your fault. he said. Now we can go! Let's hurry! Ariel's stuff was happy to have their man, but they sang, Faster, faster! to Ariel. Soon, they reached the end.

by Julian Ayele Cumberbatch