Marina: a Mermaid Story (#1) | English Story for Children

Episode 1: The Unlikely Catch
In the small coastal town of Seabrook, where the scent of saltwater mingles with the aroma of freshly baked bread, lived a young girl named Emma. At twelve years old, Emma’s heart belonged to the ocean. She spent her days with her father, Jack, a seasoned fisherman whose rugged hands and weathered face told tales of countless adventures at sea. Little did they know, their next trip would be unlike any other.
The morning sun cast a golden glow over the tranquil waters as Jack prepared his boat for the day’s catch. Emma, as always, was by his side, her eyes wide with excitement and curiosity.
Smiling, Jack looked at his daughter. "Ready for another day, baby?"
Emma responded, "Always, Dad. I can't wait to see what we find today."
With a gentle push, the boat drifted away from the dock, its engine purring softly as it sliced through the calm sea. Hours passed, and their nets filled with the usual assortment of fish. But as the sun began to climb higher in the sky, something extraordinary happened.
Jack was struggling with the net and called, "Emma, come here! This one’s heavy!" Emma rushed to her father's side, her heart pounding with anticipation. Together, they hauled the net onto the deck, and there, tangled among the fish, was a sight that took their breath away. Emma whispered, "A mermaid... " The mermaid's tail shimmered with iridescent scales, her hair cascading in waves of deep ocean blue. She looked up at them with eyes that reflected the depths of the sea itself. She weakly said: "Please... help me."
For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Jack, ever the practical man, saw an opportunity. He said, "This could be worth a fortune, Emma. We could sell her to scientists, collectors... anyone!" But Emma’s heart ached at the thought. She knew deep down that the mermaid, this beautiful, mystical creature, didn’t belong to anyone but the ocean. Emma started pleading, "Dad, we can’t sell her. She’s not a thing. She’s special. She belongs in the sea." Jack frowned, torn between his daughter’s earnest plea and the potential to make a fortune by selling the mermaid. Reluctantly, he agreed to keep her hidden until he decided what to do.
Once back at the boathouse, they placed the Mermaid in a large tank of seawater. In the secrecy of their boathouse, Emma watched over the mermaid, whom she named Marina. She marveled at Marina’s tales of underwater cities and creatures beyond imagination. As days passed, Emma's bond with Marina grew. Emma confided in her best friend, Thomas, who shared her fascination and concern. Thomas said: "We have to help her, Emma. We can’t let your dad sell her."
With determination, Emma responded: "I know, Thomas. We’ll find a way. Marina belongs in the ocean, and we’re going to get her back there."
Thus began Emma and Thomas’s secret mission to save Marina, a mission filled with challenges, close calls, and the unwavering belief that some things are too precious to be owned. As the sun set over Seabrook, casting long shadows over the town, Emma vowed to protect the mermaid and return her to her home, no matter the cost.