One day, the little princess said to Ring, “Today, let’s go and see the sea.”
Ring replied, “Princess, we are already an island nation surrounded by the sea. What more is there to see?”
The little princess responded, “Yes, we’ve seen the sea from the shore and from boats, but have you ever seen the sea from the sky like a seagull? Let’s sit on the flying fish and soar over the sea like seagulls!”
Excitedly, Ring immediately joined the princess on the flying fish.
The flying fish was a magical ship given to the princess by her magic master. With a spell, it could transform from a paper cutout into a manned aircraft.
Sitting on the flying fish, they swiftly reached the shore and then soared toward the center of the sea.
The sky was blue, the sea was blue, and the sunlight was dazzling. Seagulls flew by their side, and they couldn’t help but laugh with joy.
But then, they suddenly heard someone crying.
They looked around, but couldn’t see anyone.
Suddenly, Ring pointed to a nearby reef and said, “Princess, look, there’s someone over there.”
The little princess flew the ship over to the reef and landed.
As they approached the person, they realized it was a statue, and not just any statue—a mermaid statue.
Ring said, “I thought the crying was coming from her, but it turns out it’s just a statue.”
As they were about to leave, they heard the voice again, “Don’t go, it’s me who’s crying, please save me!”
The princess and Ring looked up and saw tears rolling down the beautiful eyes of the mermaid statue as its mouth opened and closed.
Ring let out a frightened scream, being quite timid after all.
The little princess said, “A talking statue? What kind of monster are you?”
The mermaid replied, “I’m not a monster, I was originally a mermaid. There’s a merman in the sea who wanted me to marry him. When I refused, he went to seek the sea serpent demon. He offered him many jewels in exchange for turning me into a statue. I know you’re the princess from the island nation across the sea and a little magician. Princess, please, save me!”
The little princess said, “Although I’m a little magician, I can’t think of any way to break your curse. Maybe my magic master could help you, but she’s not on the island right now.”
The mermaid said, “Princess, do you see that tall mountain beyond the sea? There’s a white lotus flower growing on the top of the mountain. If you pick it and let me smell it, the curse will be broken.”
The little princess looked into the distance toward the sea and indeed saw a mountain shrouded in mist.
Ring said, “That mountain is so far and so high, Princess, it’s too dangerous. Don’t go. Let’s wait for magic master to return.”
The little princess replied, “Though it’s far, don’t forget, I have the flying fish. It can rival the Monkey King’s cloud! You stay here and wait for me to come back.”
Ring insisted, “I can’t let you go alone, I’m going with you, Princess.”
So, they boarded the flying fish and flew towards the mountain.
Will the little princess retrieve the white lotus flower and break the mermaid’s curse? To be continued.
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