23/04/2025
Once upon a time, in the shimmering depths of the azure sea, there lived a mermaid named Maris. With long flowing golden hair the color of seaweed and scales that sparkled like the sunlit waves, she was a creature of beauty and grace. Yet, despite her enchanting underwater world, Maris often gazed longingly at the surface, where the sun kissed the land and the air was filled with the laughter of humans.
Maris had heard tales from her fellow mermaids about the wonders of the land: the vibrant colors of flowers, the warmth of the sun, and the joy of dancing on solid ground. One day, as she swam near the surface, she spotted a group of children playing on the beach, their laughter echoing through the air. In that moment, a deep yearning filled her heart. She wished to experience life on land, to feel the earth beneath her feet and to be part of the world above the waves.
Determined to make her dream a reality, Maris sought the help of the Sea Witch, a powerful being known for her ability to grant wishes. After a long and treacherous journey to the depths of the ocean, Maris found the witch in her dark lair, surrounded by swirling shadows and glowing potions.
“Please, grant me the wish to live on land,” Maris pleaded, her voice trembling with hope.
The Sea Witch, with a sly smile, agreed but warned, “You will have legs instead of a tail, but you must give up your voice. If you do not find true love within three days, you will lose your soul to the sea forever.”
Maris, blinded by her desire, accepted the terms without hesitation. With a wave of the witch’s hand, Maris felt a surge of magic envelop her, and in an instant, she was transformed. She emerged from the water, her shimmering tail replaced by two slender legs. The sun warmed her skin, and she felt the soft sand beneath her feet for the first time.
At first, life on land was everything she had dreamed of. She marveled at the beauty of the flowers, danced in the sunlight, and watched the sunset paint the sky in hues of orange and pink. However, as the days passed, Maris quickly realized that life on land was not as enchanting as she had imagined.
Without her voice, she struggled to communicate with the people around her. The children she had once admired now looked at her with confusion, and the joy of dancing turned to loneliness as she could not share her thoughts or feelings. She felt isolated, trapped in a world where she could not express herself. The warmth of the sun began to feel like a burden, and the beauty of the land faded into a distant memory of what she had hoped for.
As the third day approached, despair filled Maris’s heart. She wandered the beach, longing for the ocean’s embrace, realizing that she had taken her underwater life for granted. The vibrant colors of the flowers and the laughter of the children no longer brought her joy; instead, they reminded her of the freedom she had lost.
In her moment of desperation, Maris encountered a kind fisherman named Elias. He noticed her sadness and approached her with a gentle smile. Though she could not speak, he sensed her sorrow and offered her a flower, a simple gesture of kindness. In that moment, Maris felt a flicker of hope. She realized that true love was not just about grand gestures or spoken words; it was about connection, understanding, and compassion.
With newfound determination, Maris took Elias’s hand and led him to the shore. As the waves lapped at their feet, she closed her eyes and focused on the love she felt for the ocean and the life she had left behind. In that moment, she understood that her heart belonged to both worlds.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the Sea Witch appeared, her eyes glinting with curiosity. “Have you found true love, dear mermaid?” she asked.
Maris nodded, her heart full of gratitude for the kindness of Elias. The witch, sensing the sincerity of her feelings, smiled and waved her hand. In an instant, Maris was transformed once more, her voice returning, and her legs becoming a shimmering tail once again.
With a splash, she dove into the ocean, feeling the familiar embrace of the water. She swam to the surface, her heart lighter than ever. Maris had learned a valuable lesson: that true happiness comes not from chasing dreams blindly, but from appreciating the beauty of what one already has and finding love in unexpected places.
From that day on, Maris shared her story with her fellow mermaids, teaching them to cherish their underwater world and to seek connection and love in all its forms. And though she would always gaze at the land with wonder, she knew that her heart belonged to the sea, where she could truly be herself.
