The Mermaid Moon

**Lisa Bueno** (0:00)
Okay, our friends, so today we are reading a story for you today that is a beautiful, magical story. So my friends who like beautiful, magical things, lean in, okay? This story is called The Mermaid Moon, and it was written by Briony May Smith. And we have this story requested by a certain young lady who has a birthday coming up in just a couple days, on the 28th. And her mom, Jessica, reached out and said, Emma and Nora both listen all the time, but Emma's got a birthday coming up. And I would love to be able to have her favorite story read for her for her birthday. And I said, say no more. So they joined our Patreon and I found the story. And I am so excited to read it for you, Emma. I hope that you enjoy today's story. And friends, if you're listening and you're like, I want that too, just slide on over to patreon.com/storytime with Philip and Mommy. And you can join our Patreon and get your story too. So let's get into the story, The Mermaid Moon. And it is read today by Mommy and... Philip. Philip, are you ready? Yeah. Let's do it.
Once there were two best friends. One was from the sea, a mermaid named Marin. And one was from the land, a human named Molly.
In the picture, we can see Molly in her boat, leaning into the water to see her friend Marin, who is in the water.
Molly lived in Merporth, a little fishing village where the houses were stacked around the harbor and the boats went up and down with the tide. She could see the sea from her bedroom window.
Marin lived in the harbor with her mom, Nerissa, who protected the cove from wind and rain. She taught Marin whale songs and storm charming to keep her safe. When the sun set, they fell asleep inside their mermaid cave carved into the harbor wall.
It's really pretty in the mermaid house. It looks like they have maybe put shells as decorations. It's really pretty. Every day after school, the girls would play together, Molly above the water and Marin below. They'd search for treasure and sea caves and ancient shipwrecks. They'd surf the waves with the dolphins and follow pods of whales as they glided through the gloomy depths. One afternoon, the girls watched excitedly as Merporth bustled with preparations. That night was the Mermaid Moon Festival, and Marin was finally old enough to join in. All the sea creatures would be able to swim through the air to explore the human world. Best of all, Marin would see Molly's house for the first time. Molly skipped home for dinner. Keep it real, baby seal, she called. See you tonight! Farewell, seashell, Marin replied, diving below the water. After eating their seaweed supper, Marin's mom told her about the mermaid moon. Make sure to be home before the moon's reflection disappears from the sea, my little minnow, she warned. Otherwise, your scales will dry out and the magic will vanish from the cove forever.
Marin gulped and nodded. Then Nerissa wrapped her fin around her daughter, saying, But don't forget to have fun.
That's a little...
I'm kind of feeling nervous. Yeah, me too.
That's a little intense. As the moon started to rise, Marin watched the first creatures lift out of the waves. Seals twisted and turned into the night sky. Dolphins leapt and stayed airborne, flicking their tails to propel them to down. Marin closed her eyes and concentrated on the mermaid moon magic. She pushed up to the surface and kept on going. Up and up and up! She swished her glittering fin and followed the flurry of fish swimming through the air with a bright laugh. At the water's edge, Marin spotted Molly waiting for her. You're flying! Molly giggled. Come on, there's so much to see, and Mom and Dad said you could sleep over. Marin floated to a stop. I wish I could, but... She explained what her mother had told her about the mermaid moon magic vanishing.
Molly's face fell, but then she smiled. Oh, well, she declared, we better get going, then. The streets of Merport were strung with seashell bunting, coral wreaths hung on doors, and sea glass mobiles sparkled in windows. Fish scales shimmered and twinkled in the moonlight. There were market stalls and even a band, and Marin swam among it all, enchanted. And in the pictures, we can see how beautiful it is to be there in this village.
I'm kinda happy for them, though. This is great. I mean, she made it. Yeah, and they're gonna have some good times today, huh?
At one stall, Molly bought them matching bracelets with her allowance. At another, Marin tried her first hot chocolate. As the moon began to sink and the market closed, the girls wandered up the hill to Molly's house. They went silently upstairs, careful not to wake her mom and dad.