AN ADVENTURE UNDER THE SEA

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 27, 23 April 1927, Page 24 (Supplement)

AN ADVENTURE UNDER THE SEA

Mollie and Bobbie were sitting on the beach feeling very dull. They had played all the morning at all sorts of things, but although they thought and thought now, they could not think of one game that they had not played. “I wish we lived under the sea,” said Mollie suddenly; “I’m sure we could find plenty of things to do there.” “Yes, it would be lovely,” sighed Bobbie, longingly, “But it’s no use wishing, ’cos ” “Oh, isn’t it,” said a voice, “I’ll take you if you wish to go.” Bobbie and Mollie turned in surprise to see a beautiful fish whose gaudy scales shone in the sunlight, and instead of fins he grew large butterfly wings. “Oh please, we’d love to go,” gasped the children, joyfully, and they began to wade into the. water. “Just a minute,” laughed the fish, “Not so fast. Here are two charms that you must wear round your necks to enable you to stay under the water.” So saying the fish handed them each a green scale, from his back, threaded on a piece of green silk. The children slipped them on quickly and instantly their little pink legs disappeared and in their place grew a pretty tail. Seeing that the flying fish had vanished, Bobbie and Mollie swam along happily, stopping each minute to examine and collect some of the beautiful shells, corals and seaweeds. As they glided along they did not notice a large, cruel octopus following them warily, and just as they were about to dart into a forest of waving seaweed he rushed upon them, curling his long tentacles round their little waists. “Oh—oh!” cried Mollie, “What is it? I’m being squashed!” The next minute they were being swirled about in the water as the octopus swam swiftly back to his home—a large palace of mother-of-pearl. Presently their captor pushed them into a room full of fish and merfolk, who looked on in surprise. “I have brought a fair princess and her brother to my palace,” he boomed. “And my son shall marry the beautiful one. Here, my son,” he added, “Meet your bride,” and a cruel, ugly-looking creature slid forward and looked at Mollie expectantly. “I won’t marry that ugly old thing!” cried Mollie, angrily. “Besides I’m only ten.” “What!” bellowed the King of the Sea, “You refuse to marry my son, the Prince of the Ocean? Here, my son, take no notice of the contrary little sprat. She is very beautiful and you shall marry her. And at once too—this very minute.” “I won’t! I won’t!” screamed Mollie, “You’re an ugly old thing and I’m only a little girl! I’ll tell my daddie and he’ll kill you dead!” Prince Octopus only grinned spitefully and caught her by the wrist, but Bobbie sprang forward and cut the tentacle with a sharp shell, then snatched off both his sister’s and his own charm and the next second they found themselves on the shore—panting and afraid. “Oh, I’m so glad you remembered the charms,” gasped Mollie. “So am I,” answered Bobbie. "I've had enough of the sea.” —By Jessie Milne, aged 13.