Lillyuna the little mermaid swims under soft sunbeams in the gentle ocean. She holds her shiny seashell close and feels its smooth curves in her fins. She loves this shell because it sings a quiet song when she hugs it close. One morning Lillyuna opens her eyes and finds her shell is gone. She feels a tiny pinch of worry in her heart. She swims up and listens. She hears only the whisper of waves and the soft calls of fish. Lillyuna takes a deep breath and says, I will find you, my dear seashell. I promise.
She glides past waving seaweed and hums a hopeful tune. She meets Star Collector near a cluster of bright starfish clinging to a rock. Star Collector is friendly and curious. He holds a tiny net to keep stray stars safe. Hello, Lillyuna, he says. Why do you look so sad? I lost my special shell, she answers. Have you seen anything sparkly? Star Collector shakes his arms. I saw a glimmer near the sunlit reef just now. Let us search together, he smiles.
They glide side by side toward the reef. Colorful coral blooms all around like underwater gardens. Fish of blue, yellow, orange, and purple dart in and out of rock crevices. Suddenly they hear a gentle neigh. It is Ripple, the imaginary seahorse friend of Lillyuna. Ripple has a mint green mane and sparkles in the water. She dances in little circles. Hello, Ripple, says Lillyuna. Have you seen my seashell? Ripple nods and taps a fin. Follow me, she whispers, and leads them beyond a hidden sea cave.
Inside the cave the water glows faintly. Pearls and shells line the sandy floor. A friendly voice echoes. It is the Moon Child, a tiny glowing fish who lights the dark grottos at night. The Moon Child flicks a soft light toward a corner. There lies Lillyuna’s shell, shining warmly. But a small bubble holds it fast in midwater. Who can free it? asks Star Collector. Lillyuna swims closer and carefully touches the bubble. It shimmers but does not pop.
Just then a gentle Wizard appears. He wears a tall pointed hat and carries a wand made of polished driftwood. He has deep kind eyes. He smiles at Lillyuna. I borrowed your shell to keep it safe in this magic bubble, he says. I saw a hungry crab sniffing around. I did not mean to worry you. Lillyuna nods. Thank you for caring, she says softly. Would you please let me have it back? With a wave of his wand he pops the bubble with a friendly sparkle and returns the shell to Lillyuna’s fin.
Lillyuna hugs the shell. Thank you, dear friends, she sings. My heart feels light again. Star Collector, Ripple, and the Moon Child clap and cheer. They dance in gentle circles, creating bubbles that float up like tiny lanterns. The Wizard joins in with a soft laugh and gentle sparkle from his wand. Lillyuna holds her shell to her ear and hears the sweetest ocean lullaby. She feels warm and happy. She learns that friends share kindness and help each other.
As the sun sets, the ocean turns soft pink and gold. Lillyuna places her shell on a little rock shelf near her home. She waves goodbye to Star Collector, Ripple, the Moon Child, and the Wizard. Goodnight, she whispers. Sweet dreams follow her as she floats into gentle sleep. Tomorrow a new adventure awaits in the bright, beautiful ocean.