The Junonia Shell

“Coral, where are you going? I’ll tell Mom and Dad you left me alone!” shouted Lily as she watched her teenage sister walk away from where they were building sandcastles. “God, Lily, I’m just going to stretch my legs for a bit! I’ll be back before you know it”, Coral assured her nine-year-old sister. Coral had an obsession with seashells so their parents would bring her and Lily to the beach every Sunday evening. Leaving the sisters at the beach, they would spend their evening at their friend’s house not too far away from there. They would always be back for their daughters before nightfall. Coral was frustrated because most of the seashells she found today were broken. She kept walking, hoping to find more. She must have walked further than she had ever before because she reached the mouth of a cave. She turned around to see how far she had walked. Surprisingly, Lily was still visible. Coral was wondering how come she had never noticed this cave before. Curiosity got the better of her as she walked towards the cave entrance. As she was about to enter, she spotted something gleaming on the sand.

She picked it up and it was the most beautiful seashell she had ever seen. Despite being partially buried in the sand, the seashell seemed polished.

She examined it much closer. The more she looked at it, the more magnificent it seemed.

She recognized the shell as a Junonia. It felt like she was holding a piece of treasure because Junonias are extremely rare.

“Hello”, said a female voice.

Coral quickly turned around but there was no one behind her. She only saw Lily doing the finishing touches to the sandcastle and it wasn’t her voice.

“Helloooo”, cooed the female voice again. The voice was so musical.

She looked at the seashell in her hand. Had she lost her mind or did the seashell actually speak to her?

“Did you speak to me?” she asked the seashell, feeling dumb.

“Yes, I did, my dear” answered the seashell softly. Alarmed, Coral dropped the seashell.

“Careful, my dear, I’m fragile. My name is Antaura and I can grant your wish” said the seashell.

Picking up the seashell gently, Coral asked, “Are you saying that you’re a Genie?”

“No, I won’t call myself a Genie. We have our similarities and differences. For example, we’re similar because we can grant a person’s wish. A Genie can grant any general wish whereas I can only grant sea-related wishes”

“Whoa, that’s so cool! I love everything that has to do with the sea!” Coral exclaimed.

“I know, hence I chose you. So, what do you want to wish for? Oh and unlike with the Genie, to make a wish with me, you have to start with, ‘Antaura, please show me…’ and continue to state your wish”.

“I’ve always wanted to see mermaids. Are they real?” Coral asked.

“Of course they are!”

“I’ve never been so excited in my life! Lily is going to be so jealous. Antaura, please show me the mermaids!” Coral wished.

“As you wish, Coral!” said the seashell as Coral saw lights of varying brightness and heard sounds of varying volume at the same time.

It stopped as soon as it started. Now Coral couldn’t see or hear anything.

She thought she was dead; she felt like she was in another dimension. Her eyes then began to adjust to the darkness and she could make out some shapes and figures. She was underwater!

She realized she was still holding the seashell in her hand. She heard giggles and looked up.

In front of her, she saw the most beautiful mermaid. Then another emerged from behind her, playfully tugging her hair.

Coral couldn’t believe it. She was interacting with mermaids! Suddenly, Coral realized that although the seashell said it could bring her to see the mermaids, it didn’t make sure she could breathe underwater. She desperately needed to breathe. “Antaura, please show me the seashore!” Coral wished. Only bubbles came out of her mouth. Nevertheless, the seashell understood her. “Oh didn’t I tell you? Unlike the three wishes you get with the Genie, you only get one wish with me!”