THE MERMAID AND THE BOY

The sailors could not free the ship, and the storm waves pounded away at it. It seemed as if the ship would soon be broken apart by the sea, and everyone aboard would drown.

It was then that the mighty Mermaid Queen appeared, balancing on the stormy waves, and spoke to the king.

“Your majesty! I can save your ship and your lives – but in return you must give me your first-born son!” The king yelled back over the noise of the storm, “But I have no son!”

The mermaid said, “One day you will, and you must give him to me!”

The king did not want to give up his heir, but then a mighty wave broke over the ship and water began to flood into the hold. What good would it