On the Saddle Oyster Shore

Introduction: I decided to write this short story based on the painting assignment we had for class. I was having a hard time deciding on a painting to choose so I picked two paintings and went from there. In my story, I mesh the two paintings together in order to make a more well-rounded story. The two paintings I chose really inspired me because when I was little, I was always fascinated by the thought of mermaids really being able to exist. I came up with the name, "On the Saddle Oyster Shore," becuase, saddle oyster shells are also commonly known as mermaid toe shells. I wanted this story to have a mystical and mythical feel to it.

Esmeralda sat on the saddle oyster covered shore of her secret cove pulling a muricidae shell through the tangles in her damp hair. She listened to the tranquil lapsing of the gentle waves on the rocky land. She watched as the blistering sun twinkled along the caps of the aquamarine undulations of the salty water. The sun made her vibrant crimson and gold hair dance in the breeze just like a flame in the wind. Esmeralda was admiring a friendly little sea urchin bobbing just like a cork in the water. She splashed her new friend with her glistening flipper and watched as a tiny wave sent him spinning under the surface of the water. That’s when she heard him. Startled by the sound of heavy feet shifting the sand and coquina shells, she quickly cast herself back into the ocean.

He heard the displacement of the water and caught a glimpse of something beautiful disappearing into the depths of the turquoise sea. “Wait! I won’t hurt you!” he shouted in desperation but received no response. He tried again and said, “I know what you are. You are one of the most captivating creatures I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Esmeralda watched in awed silence from behind a large boulder in the water. He was indeed the most beautiful human she had ever seen. He had brown hair the color of the spots on a jujonia shell. His eyes sparkled green like the light reflected off of a sea turtle. He was tall and handsome. She watching in amazement as the boy lightly placed the sundial shell he was holding back on the ground and shielded his eyes from the radiant sun. She studied the way he calmly advanced towards the vast body of water.

Esmeralda knew that she shouldn’t allow this human to see her again. She knew it was against the way of her people to interact with the people of the land. She had never felt such a compelling urge to be near someone though. She hesitated in the shadow before slowly allowing herself to be seen by the beautiful human.

The boy gasped when he saw her luminescent skin glowing against the backdrop of rocks and the ocean. He slowly offered a hand and said, “My name is Troy.” Esmeralda paused and slowly emerged from the water with her body covered by a gown of a thousand pink murex shells. The boy looked at her legs in amazement and she said in a mystical voice, “My name is Esmeralda.”