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Mira meets the Sea Monster

Bath time story ...

By CR. Phoenix Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago 16 min read
12

“Mira!” cried her father from just inside the other bedroom. “Bath time” he announced.

“Mirabella my beautiful girl, time for your bath” he sincerely repeated.

“I’m coming Daddy,” shouted a sweet petite voice from across the hall, closely followed by the sound of padded soles and tiny toes running along the hardwood path from the far bedroom, slapping the floor beneath each one of her steps.

“Daddy!” she excitedly yelled with a great big smile on her angelic face before leaping into her father's loving embrace. “Ready,” he asked, she paused for a second then leaned and whispered cautiously into her father’s ear “I’m scared, Daddy.” He looked down upon her cuteness, carrying her to the tub, and softly said “Mirabella my darling, I can assure you there’s nothing to fear and I swear after today you’ll love taking a bath.

Sitting on the edge of the tub, he placed her on his lap and kindly imparted, “Daddy will show you just how much fun we can have during bath time.” Carefully watching her reaction and seeing that she wasn’t quite convinced, her father further revealed, “I promise Mirabella, you’ll love taking a bath.” Thrilled to see a smile break over his daughter’s face, he enthusiastically cried, “Are you ready?” She joyfully replied, “Ready Daddy!” “Okay, let's start filling the tub with water, “He turned the knobs to the great big tub while Mira watched with excitement and anticipation.

The water crashed when it hit the bottom, splashing all over the place. Mira sat for a moment with a puzzled look on her face, when she spun around and asked, “Daddy where are the bubbles?” Surprised by his child’s keen observation, he admiringly gazed down at his daughters charming, scrunched expression and answered soothingly, “Oh sweetie, Daddy adds the bubbles like this,” then reached over the counter grabbing a purple bottle, snapped the lid open, and emptied a few dollops into the rushing waves below the pouring faucet.

“Daddy, can I do it?” Mira asked, then proceeded to claim, “I would be great at making bubbles,” she took the bottle in her little hands, squeezed, and squeezed with all her might, and boy those bubbles started to climb, racing up the edge of the bathtub, building faster, filling the tub quicker than the water.

The bubbles carried increasingly higher, above the space between water level and the height of the bathtub, soaring further until Mira’s Dad twisted the two handles, shutting the excess spillage of water that added to the growth. Sitting right before their eyes was this fantastically huge foamy heap that fizzled and popped like Rice Krispies cereal. And lost at the base of this bubble mountain was a small red sailboat thrashing in the tide, trying to keep steady through the residual waves.

Suddenly the aqua started to gurgle, fuming to a boil around the struggling vessel. When eight pink tentacles speared through the crest of the ocean, erupting into the air, and gradually forming a wall, surrounding the entire ship. The crew frightened beyond their wildest dreams, sank into their positions, hanging tightly to the ship, fearing the worst, and when they saw a massive eye rising from the bow greeting them with even greater fear.

Surely afraid for their lives, the sailors began preparing for what’s to come, the thought of being eaten by this gigantic creature, but the one trembling most, was the giant, especially when it fearfully cried out, “oh dear… I’m so deeply sorry, … I didn’t mean to scare you all,” the octopus’s trembling voice continued to express her distress, “I would never hurt anything,” shivering fearfully from her thoughts, when she addressed the men again, terrified by what they may answer, “have you seen a Sea Monster in your travels?”

The crew still struck with fear, hid in place, when a voice spilled over the drenched wooden craft, “Why no … we haven’t seen a Sea Monster today,” shouted the captain standing straight and tall at the end of the boat. All now breathing a sigh of relief including the octopus. “That’s fantastic news,” excitedly exclaimed the enormous, long-legged sea dweller. “Why is this fantastic news,” asked the captain. Quivering in her spot, she explained, “I’m afraid of the Sea Monster,” shaking with fright, she rocked waves of seawater in all directions, flooding the deck.

“It’s alright … there, there, … there’s nothing to be scared of here,” reassured the captain before introducing himself and his crew, “My name is Captain Rob, and these are my shipmates, this is our Seeker, Anto, over there is our Keeper, Rita, down at the end is the teacher of all things our Master, Nico and lastly our wonderfully brilliant Chef, Rosa.” Each member bowed their heads upon call, when the captain finally questioned the massive animal, “what’s yours?”

“My name … is Ellie,” she replied hesitantly. “Nice to meet you, Ellie,” answered Rob excitedly. Ellie still visibly shaken mustered in return, “nice to meet you too, Captain Rob and crew,” although she was not completely firm with believing him, she once again had to confirm, “so you haven’t come across any Sea Monster.” Captain Rob spoke more gently saying, “No Ellie we haven’t seen anything like that today,” when he enthusiastically and confidently asserted, “but I’m sure if we do, they will be just as friendly as you.”

“I’m not so sure,” Ellie faintly responded. Just then in the distance from the stern side, a tiny object was seen drifting across the waves, it seemed to be following the tide approaching very slowly. “AAAAAHHH!, Ellie shrieked, “there it is, and it and it looks like it’s heading this way.” And before Captain Rob with his crew could turn to see what had Ellie so afraid, she dove right back into the ocean.

“Daddy!,” shouted Mira, “where did Ellie the octopus go?” her voice filled with worry and concern. Her Dad saw his daughter's troubled look and tenderly comforting her, “It’s going to be okay Mira, Ellie will be back soon, she was scared off by what she thought was the Sea Monster,” he explained. Visibly anxious she simply answered, “Okay Daddy.”

Once the rough waters subsided from Ellie’s abrupt departure, the boat calmed, primed to reclaim control. It was an opportunity for the sailors to observe that strange object. At first, it appeared to be a fairly minuscule, “maybe it’s a shark,” Anto yelped loudly. They would soon find out, as it swam closer and closer, getting bigger by the second … it wasn’t small at all … it was gigantic. And right before it came into full view, it disappeared. Suddenly a massive round dome exploded through the clear blue sea, spilling a wave that crashed all over the crew.

Wiping the wet from their eyes, they finally saw what had greeted them. “Glorious day my friends,” said a cheerfully giant tortoise. “Are we enjoying our adventure at sea today…hmmm,” he asked with a wide happy grin over his face. The sailors watched and stared at this mammoth creature in awe and amazement, counting their blessings on how fortunate they to have seen, not one, but two magnificent beasts.

The Captain stepped onto the figurehead of his ship to meet his new friend, “Well hello,” he said, “if you wouldn’t mind could you please tell us … where you came from?”

Without warning the huge tortoise lifted one of his flippers from the sea, pointing it away, “I live on an island not too far from here,” a fresh ocean wave splattered over the entire boat and onto the sailors again.

“You caught me right in the middle of my morning swim,” he joyfully explained, when he realized he just soaked the whole crew. “Oh my … I’m so sorry,” he reacted with genuine concern. “I didn’t mean for that … I just get excited to meet new friends.” “That’s alright, “ shouted Rita, “it comes with the territory,” hollered Nico. “So, may I ask you another question,” cried Captain Rob. “Why sure,” answered the sea turtle. “What is your name?” the captain yelled with hands curled in the shape of a funnel.

“How rude of me … I’m so embarrassed,” shyly surprised, “My name is Gordy … Gordy the sea turtle.” “Hello Gordy, nice to meet you,” the Captain called out. “I’m Captain Rob and this is my crew,” waving his arm over the rest of the boat aiming at his mates. “Ladies and Gents, say hello to Gordy,” and in one symphonic burst, the crew yelled in unison, “Hello Gordy … a pleasure to meet you.”

Gordy was filled with happiness, “How nice it is to meet such wonderful friends,” in all his excitement he lifted his giant flippers to clap and show how ecstatic he felt, but forgetfully and soon regretfully wet the entire crew again.

The blast of water shook the boat and soon the Captain had another question to ask, “Pardon me, Gordy, I would like to ask you something else, if I may?” … Gordy looked down at his new companions with a jolly smile and answered, “anything you wish my good Captain,” Gordy concluded. “During your swim today, had you come in contact with a Sea Monster?” the Captain paused for a moment the went on speaking, “because we met an octopus named Ellie and she swears that a creature like that exists.”

“Oh, yes I’ve seen the Sea Monster, but I can attest that he’s quite friendly,” Gordy pleasantly extended a smile … “he joins me from time to time, but today he had to stay home to watch some acquaintances.

“Home?” questioned the Captain further, “where would we find his home?” Gordy almost lifted his long round oval flipper again to point towards the direction, then said, “he lives at the far east edge of Bubble Mountain, in a cave behind a waterfall.” Gordy became quite interested to know why Captain Rob and his crew wanted to know so much about his friend. “Now Captain, may I ask you something,” Gordy replied in return, “sure Gordy, you may ask us anything you wish,” cried the Captain.

“Would you like to know more about the Sea Monster?” The shipmates immediately stopped what they were doing and sprang forward together screaming, “YES!” the thrill of finally knowing more filled their hearts, as the Captain proceeded to talk, “We met Ellie the octopus, she had told us of a story about the time she was visited by a creature while playing with five stones down by the shoreline. She also expressed how frightened she became when the Sea Monster approached.

“Scared … why would she be afraid of Fred … he’s just a little guy.” Lying deep below the surface of the water, Ellie sat listening to the conversation. She too was fascinated to learn more about the Sea Monster, and she mustered the courage to climb the waves and meet the newest guest.

Above the plane, Gordy continued to describe the constant misunderstanding everyone alike had with Fred. When a thought crossed his mind, “we could ease your fear by taking a trip to Bubble Mountain.” Suddenly, water erupted near the Captain cabin, shooting upwards like a geyser. It was Ellie emerging from the deep, “sorry to spring upon you, I happened to overhear you all were deciding to take a trip to Bubble Mountain to visit the Sea Monster,” with a slight tremble in her speech.

“Hello there … You must be Ellie,” Gordy injected cordially. “Ye…Yes,” stuttered Ellie. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you Ellie … the Captain spoke about you,” he continued with his description of the plan to visit Fred. “I’m sure if you all join me for a swim, we can meet him together,” stretching the details further, “he’d be delighted to have you visit … I promise.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Ellie worriedly shared. “It’ll be alright,” claimed Gordy. “No! … I’m still too afraid,” Ellie spouted, lifting her legs, and curling them over herself to dive right into the water. “Gentlemen,” Gordy calmly said, “please carry on in that direction while I speak with Ellie.”

“All hands on deck,” hailed the Captain … “we need to turn around and follow Gordy’s request,” and at that precise that moment, a gust swooned filling their sails, pushing them along their new heading. Ellie wasn’t curious about the Sea Monster she was quite content, comfortable, and relieved that she decided to stay.

Resting at the bottom of the sea, Ellie began to feel the current rush past her. The coral flapped increasingly more when she saw Gordy descending to meet her by the reef. “Hi Ellie,” Gordy invitingly gestured. “Hi, Gordy,” sounding unenthused before saying, “I hope you don’t think that coming down here will change my mind because I’m not going.”

“I promise Ellie, there’s nothing to be afraid of, trust me,” he held out one of his enormous limbs for her to accept the idea, “if you want, I’ll let you hop onto my shell and we can ride out to meet Fred together and if you’re still scared when we get there, you may leave. No one will ever say that you didn’t try … is that fair?” Gordy questioned warmly.

Ellie was surprised by his offer to ride his shell, “you mean, you’ll let me ride on your back the whole way.” “Yes, I will … to prove that you have nothing to fear,” saying confidently. “Okay Gordy, we have a deal,” as a smile began to grow wider. Ellie unfolded her long pink tentacles and started to crawl over Gordy’s shell.

“Ready Ellie?” Gordy beamed with sheer joy that Ellie agreed. “You bet Gordy,” and with one quick flashing stroke of his giant flippers, they were on their way. The force of all four of Gordy’s flippers was so powerful that Ellie had to stabilize herself by pressing hard with her suctions. She thought this was so much fun, as she squealed with delight, “hey Gordy, can we go faster?”.

“Faster … You want to go faster?” Gordy laughed wholeheartedly. “Alright then, here we go … better hold on tight Ellie, this is going to get splashy.” And just like a child’s roller coaster, they rolled along the wavy track, breaching the surface, then plunging right back into the water; Ellie yelled with glee.

“Yippie … this … is … awesome,” Ellie cried, “Look, Gordy, over there we’ve caught up to them. Her voice filled with exhilaration. Captain Rob stood manning the helm when he faintly heard something from well beyond their position, it sounded like Ellie screaming with fantastic enjoyment.

“This is the best,” Ellie was elated and before they knew it, Gordy and Ellie were neck and neck with the ship. “Hello there Captain Rob,” cried Gordy who had now begun to swim on the water's edge alongside the vessel. “I see you brought a friend,” chuckled the Captain.

“Hi Captain Rob,” Ellie ecstatically pronounced, visibly thrilled that she came aboard this trip riding on Gordy’s shell.

“As you can see Captain, we have a little bit more to go before we reach Bubble Mountain … care to have some fun?” Gordy teased.

“Are you thinking about racing Gordy?” questioned the Captain. “Brilliant idea, that sounds so exciting, “ Ellie bursting with pure enthusiasm. “Yes, Captain that’s exactly what I’m suggesting,” Gordy replied. “Alright Gordy if you insist,” he accepted the fun challenge. “Okay Ellie, would you like to count to three to start this race,” asked Gordy.

“Yes I can,” she began the count, “One … Two … Three!” Off like a bolt of lightning they went, side by side they raced over the next stretch of waves neck, and neck most of the way, while laughter consumed them all. The crew crying heave ho, heave ho, pulling on the sails holding them steady and true allowing for the wind to carry them quickly to Bubble Mountain.

In the meantime, Gordy used his large body to float alongside barely using his giant flippers, Ellie wailed with a fever, “this is the best day ever!” The closer they got the faster they raced and soon they would make it to Bubble Mountain. Arriving at their destination, it wasn’t as they originally imagined, the bubbles fizzled and popped, vanishing right before their eyes. At the far end, they could hear the distinct sound of a rushing waterfall.

“Fred my friend,” shouted Gordy, pausing to listen briefly for a response, “You home?” he asked. “Gordy is that you?” sprang a voice partially swallowed by the bashing waterfall. “Yes Fred it’s me,” Gordy excited to know Fred was home. “I brought some friends over for a visit … I hope you won’t mind?” he asked. “No not at all, don’t be silly Gordy, the more the merrier,” Fred happily exclaimed.

“Come on in,” Fred invited his new guests into the cave behind the waterfall, “make yourselves at home.” Ellie immediately shivered at the thought of going into the cave to see the Fred the Sea Monster. Gordy sensed Ellie was feeling apprehensive and whispered. “You may stay on my back for as long as you want my dear friend.”

“Thank you, Gordy,” Ellie was grateful for his kindness. Captain Rob and his shipmates, Rosa, Nico, Anto, and Rita disembarked from their posts and began heading through the water. Once inside the cave, they couldn’t see Fred anywhere but swore they could hear some whistling nearby. “Hello Fred?” cried the Captain, still no answer, that’s when Gordy entered the cavern calling out to him also.

“I’m right here my friend,” crawling from behind a set of stalagmites, “Aha … we found you!” yelled a cauldron of fruit bat fluttering overhead, while a small crab crept out admitting he was found. Fred was playing a fun game of hiding and seek with his friendly cave dwellers. “Ha Ha,” they all laughed with joy and that’s when Ellie realized just how foolish, Fred was not the Sea Monster she thought to be at all, he was a gentle crab who loved to play … he wasn’t so scary after all.

She crawled off of Gordy’s shell and said, “I don’t know why I was so scared of Fred, he turned out to be so small. Gordy looked back at his newfound friend saying, “I guess the moral of the story is, things aren’t always as they seem, they may feel bigger than they truly are but we shouldn’t fear them without trying, and who knows they might be just small enough to fit right in your hand…Right Fred?”

Laughter filled the cavern walls echoing from across the waterfall from the water pouring over Mira, rinsing away all the soapy suds and bubbles she collected from the mountain she created. “Daddy?” she questioned innocently, “Yes Mira,” replied her father attentively, “Can I have a bath tomorrow morning too,” inquiring softly. Her Dad looked at her adoringly, “of course you may my angel.”

Scooping her up in a large beach towel, whisking her away, muttering the names Ellie, Gordy, and Fred.

“Don’t forget Captain Rob and his crew too,” Mira included.

“Oh, we could never forget Captain Rob and his crew,” Mira turned to her Dad and whispered, “Daddy, I love you.” Hugging her tight, a smile broke on his face, whispering back to her, “I love you too Mirabella.”

Silence fell over the house for a brief moment … then unexpectedly the sound of bare padded soles and tiny toes raced along the hardwood path, slapping the floor beneath each step. Mira entered the bathroom with a smile across her beautiful face then one by one she grabbed … an Octopus, A Sea Turtle, and a Crab.

The End

children
12

About the Creator

CR. Phoenix

I live by the moment, creatively writing from an ensemble of memories, lessons, experiences and whatever my imagination dreams up.

All images are from my personal collection

Reader insights

Nice work

Very well written. Keep up the good work!

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  1. Easy to read and follow

    Well-structured & engaging content

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