One summer morning, Lily walked along the beach, collecting seashells. She loved their different shapes and colors, but one shell caught her eye—it was larger than the others, with swirling blue patterns like ocean waves.
Curious, she held it to her ear. Instead of the usual whooshing sound, she heard a soft voice whisper, “Take me to the tide pool, and I will show you a secret.”
Lily’s eyes widened. “A talking shell?”
Excited, she ran to the tide pool and placed the shell in the shallow water. Suddenly, the water shimmered, and a tiny mermaid appeared!
“Thank you for returning my shell!” the mermaid said with a smile. “As a gift, I will grant you one wish—but choose wisely.”
Lily thought for a moment. She could wish for treasure, an adventure, or even the ability to breathe underwater! But then she looked around and saw the beach littered with plastic and trash.
“I wish for the ocean to be clean and safe for all sea creatures,” Lily said.
The mermaid clapped her hands, and a wave of magic spread across the shore. The trash disappeared, the water sparkled, and colorful fish swam happily.
“You have a kind heart,” the mermaid said. “The ocean thanks you.”
Before Lily could say another word, the mermaid and the shell vanished into the waves. She smiled, knowing she had made a difference.
From that day on, Lily always picked up trash when she visited the beach, remembering the magic of the whispering shell and the mermaid’s gift.
The End.
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