1. Ariel and Scuttle

Ariel is a mermaid, who lives in Atlantica. She is a fussy little mermaid, with beautiful skin, blue eyes, an emerald green tail, and red hair. She is also, a messy little mermaid.

She's always seen pulling wagons around, getting ready for the other sea creatures to go on long adventures. And when wagons arrive, she pulls them away, so the other sea creatures can have a rest. Ariel is very proud of herself. She likes to play pranks on the other sea creatures, even Scuttle, the seagull. Ariel loves to tease him. ''Wake up, Scuttle! Do something for a change!'' One day, after he had finished pulling wagons, Scuttle came back, very sleepy. He had just closed his eyes, when Ariel arrived in her fussy way. ''Wake up, Scuttle! Why don't you do something? Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah!'' And Ariel swam off. When he opened his

eyes, Scuttle thought of a way he could tease Ariel back.

One morning, Ariel couldn't get up! She couldn't start. She began

to yawn, and did nothing else. The wagons had to be ready. Everyone was

impatient. Oh, oh! said Ariel, as she finally got out of bed. C'mon! said Scuttle.

You, c'mon! Ariel said back. Scuttle backed up onto the wagons. Get in, everyone! he called.

Ariel usually pushed from behind, but today, it went very quickly. Come along, come along! said Scuttle.

The wagons rolled very fast. Much too fast for Ariel. She tried to stop them, but to no avail. I want to stop! she cried. Can't stop now, can't stop now! chuckled the wagons. Poor Ariel was swimming fast. Her fins ached, and her head was hurting, but she knew she had to do it. It isn't fair! she wailed. At last, they stopped. Ariel got separated from the wagons, and ran onto a turntrack, feeling very sorry for herself. Then, she hid behind a rock. So, Ariel, said Scuttle. Now you learned your lesson, didn't you? Ariel didn't say a word. She just went for something warm to drink. Maybe, I don't need to tease Scuttle after all. she thought as she swam home.

by Julian Ayele Cumberbatch