Sophia was playing with her toy cars in the backyard when she heard the prettiest singing! It was like tinkling bells and sparkling water. "Wow!" she whispered.
"What's wow, Sophia?" Dad asked, looking up from his book.
"Singing!" Sophia pointed to the big oak tree at the back of the yard.
Dad chuckled. "That's just Mr. Blue Jay. He loves to sing."
But Sophia shook her head. This singing was different. It sounded magical! She carefully peeked behind the tree, and guess what she saw! It was a mermaid! She had long, blue hair like the ocean and a sparkly tail that shimmered in the sun. The mermaid smiled and sang a beautiful note.
Sophia's heart thumped. This was incredible! She wasn't scared, not one bit. She felt a warm feeling in her chest, like a little spark. Dad always said that was courage, and courage meant listening to your heart.
"Hello!" Sophia called out.
The mermaid stopped singing. "Well, hello there, little one! You can see me?"
Sophia nodded. "You're so pretty! Your singing is pretty too."
"Thank you," the mermaid giggled, her tail swishing back and forth. "I'm Coral. Are you the one who planted these lovely flowers?"
Sophia shook her head. "My dad takes care of the garden. But I help him water sometimes."
"It's a beautiful garden," Coral sighed. "It makes me feel happy."
Sophia knew what she had to do. This mermaid was lost, and she needed help to get back home. Sophia wasn't sure how to help, but she knew she had to try. That spark of courage in her chest was glowing brighter!
"Where's your home, Coral?" Sophia asked.
"It's far away, in a coral reef under the sea," Coral said, her smile fading a little. "I swam too close to the shore and got caught in a wave. Now I don't know how to get back."
Sophia thought hard. She remembered Dad talking about the ocean being on the other side of Jacksonville. It was a long way, but maybe they could find a way to get Coral back.
"Don't worry, Coral!" Sophia said, puffing out her chest. "We'll help you get home."
Coral's eyes widened. "You will?"
Sophia nodded. "My dad is really smart, he'll know what to do."
Sophia ran to her dad, her heart still thumping with courage. "Dad! Dad! I found a mermaid!"
Dad smiled and put down his book. "A mermaid? That sounds like quite an imagination you have there, Sophia."
"But it's true!" Sophia insisted. "She's behind the oak tree, and she needs our help to go home!"
Dad could see the determination in Sophia's eyes. He knew when she had that look, nothing could stop her. He chuckled and stood up. "Alright, alright. Lead the way, Captain Sophia!"
Holding her dad's hand, Sophia led him to Coral. And guess what? Dad wasn't scared either! He helped Coral just like Sophia knew he would. They carefully carried Coral in a big bucket of water all the way to the beach, and with a splash of her tail, Coral was back in the ocean!
As Coral waved goodbye, she sang one last beautiful song, just for Sophia and her dad. It was a song of thanks, of courage, and most of all, of friendship. Sophia knew in her heart, she would never forget Coral, the mermaid who taught her that even the smallest girl could have the biggest courage.
