Mermaid And The Cats (Kids Story) Poem by Alok Agarwal

Once upon a time, a little mermaid was sitting on the tree gazing at the sun. The sun was shining with all its might.

Suddenly, a cloud came passing by and asked the mermaid, "Aren't you feeling hot". The mermaid replied, "Yes. A bit. But, I am bored of swimming all day and night. There is nothing new to be done. So, I just though of taking some time off."
The cloud sighed and invited a blaze of wind to provide some relief.

Another cloud joined the conversation and remarked, "It would have been wonderful if it could swim in water instead of gliding in air. It feels heavy to carry the weight of water all time along".

Amidst, the rustling of leaves - the mermaid said, "Yes. I know. I wish all our lives could be more happening. But what can be done right now. My parents don't allow me to go very far from this tree. This tree has been standing all along since the birth of my grandparents."

A cat came to the rescue and said, "I have been listening to all your conversations and I have an idea for making today ‘funday'. If you all are interested, you can join."

Everybody including the tree who has been silent all along expressed their interests in joining.

The cat invited everybody at her new house where she had planned a house-warming party.

Everybody put on their best attire and reached the cat's place before the scheduled time of 07: 00 PM. The mermaid was looking gorgeous as ever. The wind was gutsy. The tree was tall. The cloud brothers were cloudy. The sun could not join as it was forbidden for him to go out in the dark since he was born.

The house of the cat was lavish, and she had invited all her catty friends, and it was destined to be a long party.
The music was soft and there were several games to be played and prizes won.

At 09: 00 PM, it was decided to play a game around cauldron. Everyone gathered encircling the cauldron. The cats decided to play racing game and the last two losers of the race will be put inside the cauldron for half an hour and will be served last.
The racing game would put tree and mermaid on the obvious disadvantage but could express their concerns explicitly.

As was the obvious, the mermaid and tree lost the race. The mermaid was put inside the cauldron. The tree was too tall to be put inside the cauldron. So it was decided that only the face of the tree with leaves will be put inside; while the trunk and roots shall be left outside in a manner that cauldron is in the lap of the tree.

The cloud bothers got suspicious of the activity and sensed some foul play. They immediately whispered in the ears of the wind about their suspicion.

As soon as leader cat ignited a matchstick - the clouds stared crying. Wind took a cue and started blowing rapidly.

Hearing the commotion, the tree started shaking its head and started shedding its leaves. The mermaid also jumped out the cauldron and sat on the cloud.

The cats grew impatient and, in the hustle-bustle that followed, one of the ignited matchsticks fell on the fallen leaves and within minutes - the entire house was engulfed in fire.

The cats learned their lesson and the mermaid safely reached to the river and swam to her house. The parents hugged her with love and kissed on her forehead.

The mermaid has now become old and shares this story to her grandchildren who refuse to believe. 😊