38. Sea Witch Goes Pop

Attina is proud to be a sensible mermaid. She never stops talking about it, but she works very hard, and is classy and sassy. It was a beautiful day. The carts and wagons were behaving. The people had also stopped complaining. But the sea creatures didn't like working so hard. There are two ways of working, she said, ''the sensible way, or the silly way. I am a sensible mermaid, and... We know!'' said the sea creatures. Everyone was happy when a sea witch arrived. She went towards them. King Triton introduced her. ''This is Ursula. I gave her a trial. She needs some help. Show her around, Attina. Hello.'' Ursula said. ''Nice to meet you, Attina. That must be Flounder, and Marina, and Scuttle. I'm very happy to see them.'' Everyone was surprised. She is very respectful, they said. We're happy to have her around. Attina was doubtful. Let's go! she said. Your silly trident... That's King Triton. said Attina. Ursula looked upset. ''Your silly King Triton thinks I need help. He's sadly mistaken. I don't need help. We do it all ourselves. We come here, and prove it. We are smart.''

Oh, Attina said. If you're so smart, maybe you could take my carts, while I get Scuttle's wagons. Ursula was very happy, and she was gone. When Attina came back, Ursula was trying to pull away some carts. They were old and rusty. Nobody had used them in a long time. Ursula could not move them. ''Pull us, push us. Go back, gor forward! Oh, oh!'' moaned the carts. We will not do it! Attina began to chuckle. Ursula was getting angry. Rrrrr! she said, and she gave a big tug. The carts moved. Oh! they cried. We will not do it! The stoppers snapped, and the gear was jammed. Rrrrr! Ha, ha! laughed Attina. Ursula got better, and tried to push. But it was no use. Attina went around to get the other carts. ''Thank you, Ursula. I have to go. Do you want this? No, thanks.'' Ursula growled. ''And I went through all of this. How come you never told me? You didn't ask. Besides, you were having a lot of fun being so smart. See ya'! Rrr! Ursula had to help some men clean up. She didn't like this at all. All the carts were singing about it. ''Carts are waiting at the yard, They don't flip or flop. Show everyone what I can do. Sea Witch goes pop. When she creeps about the yard, Nobody can flip or flop. When she takes the wrong carts, Sea Witch goes pop. Rrr!'' grumbled Ursula. And she went to complain in bed.

by Julian Ayele Cumberbatch