Marina the mermaid lived in a coral castle, sparkling with seashells and glowing anemones. Every night, before drifting off to sleep in her clam shell bed, Marina had a special bedtime routine.
First, she'd brush her shimmering, long tail with a special sea-urchin brush. Then, she'd carefully place all her seashell treasures back in their little chests. Tonight, she had gathered extra special treasures: five shiny pearls!
Marina loved her pearls. They were the most beautiful pearls in the whole ocean, and she loved to keep them all to herself. She planned to play with them and keep them in her clam shell. But as she was arranging them, she heard a little whimper.
It was Coralia, a tiny baby seahorse, caught in some seaweed. Coralia was crying because she had lost her favourite toy – a small, smooth pebble that reminded her of her mama.
Marina, feeling a bit sad for the baby seahorse, carefully freed Coralia from the seaweed. She remembered how she felt when she lost her favorite pearl a few weeks ago. It had been a very upsetting time.
Looking at Coralia's worried face, Marina remembered how happy finding the pearl again had made her. She decided to do something very special. She gently picked up one of her beautiful shiny pearls.
‘Here,’ she said softly, handing the pearl to Coralia. ‘This might cheer you up. It’s as smooth and shiny as your lost pebble.’ Coralia’s eyes widened. She happily accepted the pearl and snuggled it close.
Marina felt a warm feeling in her heart. Sharing her pearl made her happier than keeping all five to herself. She helped Coralia find a safe place to sleep and then finally, continued with her own bedtime routine.
After brushing her tail and putting her remaining pearls away, Marina snuggled into her clam shell bed. She felt so peaceful and happy. Sharing had made her bedtime even more special. She drifted off to sleep, dreaming of all the wonderful friends she had in the ocean.
The next day, Coralia and her Mama found a beautiful sparkly pebble that was even better than the pearl, for Coralia. They visited Marina and thanked her for her kindness and generosity. Marina learned that sharing her things and showing kindness made her happier than any treasures could. It was the best bedtime story ending of all!