"WILFUL WAVELET”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 526, 1 December 1928, Page 31

"WILFUL WAVELET”

Deep in the caverns of the sea dwelt a mermaid, who was the sorrow of lier relations. Through her naughty ways she became known as “Wilful Wavelet.” Tier worst fault, however, was her love of teasing the deep-sea creatures. At last a meeting was called to discuss the matter. “I suggest,” said Lord Crayfish, “that we call her and lecture her severely on the subject.” Accordingly, they set out to find Wilful Wavelet. Suddenly, his lordship gave a cry, for there was the merchild tugging the tail of his favourite seahorse. Not realising what he was doing he rushed up to her and smacked her. This sealed her fate, for, when a mermaid is struck by one of the nobility, she is turned into a shell until she brings happiness to some human. So Wilful Wavelet became a twisty shell and, if you put her to your ear, you could hear the sea murmuring. For a long time she lay on the beach unnoticed, until one day, some children came to play there. One boy looked very sad, and, when asked the reason, said, “I’m thinking of Beth.” (Beth was his invalid sister who had never seen the sea.) Just before the time came to go home lie wandered along the sands gathering shells and, with a delightful cry, picked up Wilful Wavelet and put her to his ear. When he reached home he joyously put the shell to Beth’s ear, telling her to listen. She was so pretty that Wilful Wavelet sang a song about the waves to her. Thus she was able to make Beth happy and, though she lives once more in Merland, the song still echoes in the shell. —Eileen Gracie (aged 13).