Inara the mermaid watched the sun shimmer far above the waves. She fluttered her tail and swam upward.
But the moment a fish glided by, she ducked back behind a tall coral wall.
She tried again and again, peeking out and hiding each time. Her fins trembled with every startled retreat.
A passing seal made her dive back. A drifting shell made her hide again.
She only wanted to reach the warm sun. But every time she got close, she grew too scared.
Then Zavie the Airplane circled down. His wings hummed, and his landing gear clattered into place.
"I need to go up," she whispered, "but I'm scared."
Zavie nodded and lowered his wings. She climbed aboard, and together they rose.
They rose past schools of fish, past whales, past clouds that tickled the propeller.
Inara gripped Zavie's arms and let out a brave little laugh as the sun grew warmer.
Inara reached the sun and felt its golden light wrap around her. She began to glow.
On the way back down, she waved at Zavie. No longer hiding, her tail streamed proudly behind her.