(unlabelled)
the ocean king and his daughters came early for their guests. they had driven fast, and their sea-horses were covered with a lather of white foam. as they came shoreward the rising sun dyed the sky a brilliant pink, and for a moment the water caught its color. and then it was delightful to watch the great rolling waves of the sea blushing a delicate rosy shade. ethelda with prince dorion and their friends stood on the creamy sands awaiting them. the moon princess wore a gown to match her blue eyes, and its exquisite train, embroidered in silver crescents, hung in heavy folds behind her.
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stepping lightly into the ocean king’s chariot, ethelda sat beside him. prince dorion followed, and very soon the whole party were comfortably seated among the mermaids. away they started. some snowy birds, watching them off, rose suddenly, and outstretching their long white wings, floated lazily away.
billions of sapphire waves rolled in to meet them, but the horses sped easily through, leaving only a broad roadway of foam behind. the shining sun spread now over the wide expanse, and they seemed to be flying through golden mists, while their great frothy path glittered in as many colors as the rainbow. farther and farther they went, deeper and deeper grew the rich color of the great deep, until it seemed impossible it could become bluer. then slowly that brilliant blue changed, becoming a clear cool green, the shade of the coldest waters. not until then did the ocean king draw rein, and slowly descending, they finally stopped at the gates of his palace.
the palace was a wonder to behold. its walls were built of richest mother-of-pearl, and shaded from purest white to the most delicate rose. its broad staircases and wide halls were all of the same costly material, while its trimmings and ornamentations were pearls and diamonds of priceless worth.
the ocean queen came forth, with her younger children, to greet them.
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to keep the white light from dazzling with its splendor, the tall green seaweeds waved about, lending a delicious, cool shade, like the green trees on the dry land, so that everything was agreeable to the eye.
the ocean queen came forth, with her younger children, to greet them, and ethelda thought she had never seen anything so delicately beautiful as the queen. her eyes were clear as crystal pools, and her hair—a bewildering mass of gold—floated about her, covering her almost completely. she wore a pale green dress trimmed with magnificent pearls, and on her head a crown of diamonds. she glided up to the strangers, and in the softest voice bade them welcome.
a magnificent banquet was served immediately, and then they were shown the wonders of the sea palace. rooms filled with costly treasures were opened; chests of brilliant jewels were examined.
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but while the guests were enchanted with so much splendor, the king explained that to the mermaid kingdom these heaps of diamonds and emeralds and rubies were really not worth a single piece of coral; for at these huge coral beds in the bottom of the sea the baby mermaids received their education. they were taught to swim and play games and amuse themselves, and later they lent their deft fingers to build and carve those exquisite mountains of the sea. when the moon maidens saw the coral beds, they too shared the mermaids’ belief.
the party were walking through the clear smooth waters, when presently, ahead, they noticed a slight ruffle, and almost immediately they saw a long pink line. it was the coral reef. as they approached they saw great sheets of roaring foam sweep over the slippery coral, and as they passed by the hissing white wall of foam they saw that the tiny builders had raised their rose-colored mountains to a great height. the delicate work was a marvel to see; it was like the weaving of finest lace-work, and only the smartest of the mermaids were employed to carve the coral beds.
“can the earth exhibit greater wonders?” exclaimed prince dorion.
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“we think not,” answered the ocean king; “but perhaps it is because we love our home so much. we have many more wonderful things we could show you, but our time is limited, and we can only briefly display our favorites.”
turning, he took from the hand of one of his daughters a beautiful shell. creamy and shining like satin was the outside of the curving piece of mother-of-pearl, but its lovely lining was as pink as a rose-leaf. presenting it to ethelda, the king bade her keep it to remind her of her visit to his dwelling. “this beautiful shell, fair princess,” continued the king, “shares with the mermaid kingdom its great love of home, and it carries deep in its heart the sound of the waves. it will never lose it. no matter where it goes or how long it stays, if you but hold it to your ear it will speak to you of us. for the deep musical sound of the waves will always be heard singing within its depths.”
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ethelda, delighted, thanked him for the charming gift, which she gratefully accepted. then continuing their walk, they arrived at the door of a handsome palace, where the ocean king’s only sister lived. she was called the princess sea foam, and her palace was built entirely of pearls. great oysters were constantly employed making these pearls for her, and day after day they opened their wide mouths and deposited fresh beauties at her doors. her apartments were very elegant and all in white, and the ocean king’s guests were especially astonished at the magnificence of the princess’s clothes. she was very beautiful, for her skin was clear and white and her features delicate and pretty. she was small of stature, and looked more like a fairy than a mermaid, but her dress amazed them by its beauty. it was snow-white, and was studded with the largest and purest diamonds they had ever seen. even her hair was covered with precious stones, and wherever she moved, sparkles of light burst forth. when she approached closer they discovered that the shining jewels were not really diamonds at all, but clear and brilliant raindrops!
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the princess sea foam was in reality also the rain princess. her duty was to lie frequently upon the top of the waves and travel about, watching the dry land and the sky. often one sees the broad blue waters flecked with white specks; then one knows that sea foam and her companions, in their white dresses, are watching the world, to determine when rain is needed. it is a great responsibility for such a tiny princess, but she has guided her millions of followers wisely, and the earth is well pleased with her lovely daughter’s work.
they make the precious raindrops and then store them away in a big room in the pearl palace. when rain is needed the doors are opened and the skies absorb the moisture. the heavens fill with clouds,—at first glorious, shining masses, lying against the blue sky as white and foamy as the princess herself on the blue waves, but later, gathering force, they darken to a gray or black, and fall upon the earth in a shower of glittering drops. over and over again must sea foam do this wonderful work, but it is a work of joy, because she loves those glittering drops of shining water.
the sun warms the world and gives it heat, but the ocean must cool and freshen it with raindrops; for all the rain that falls from the skies must first be gathered on the earth, and this responsibility rests on the ocean king’s sister, dainty little sea foam.
