The Ocean World <xi>

Sara loved the water, and would go swimming any chance she would get. Near her house was a small stream full of fish and plants. She would go and float in it whenever she felt sad or anxious. She liked to close her eyes and dream of following the stream all the way to the ocean. What wonderful things would she see there?

One day, when she was closing her eyes and thinking of the ocean, she felt a splash. She opened her eyes, and realized that something was struggling under the water. She put her hands under and tried to find out what it was. It was a beautiful fish, trapped under a large patch of weeds. Quickly, she freed the fish from it, and it swam out gratefully.

The beautiful fish swished her tail at Sara. 'You saved me, little girl!' the fish said, dancing happily in the water. 'My name is Pixie, and you should come with me.' 'Come with you where?' Sara asked. 'Come with me to the heart of the ocean, where I will give you a gift,' Pixie replied.

Sara followed Pixie. They swam down the creek, into a small river, then a big river. As they moved through the water, Sara sees all kinds of wonderful fish. Some she did not even believe existed! It was a magical journey, and it was just getting started.

The river they were following began to widen, until finally... Sara was in the ocean! All of a sudden, she could see a pod of giant whales right in front of her. 'Hang on!' shouted Pixie, as a massive wave headed straight for them. When it hit, they were pulled down into the depths of the ocean!

Sara could not believe what she was seeing. A whole world exists under the ocean, different from the one above. She swam through it alongside Pixie. 'Welcome to our home,' Pixie said. 'It's the most wonderful thing I have ever seen,' said Sara.

Sara and the fish swam ever deeper. Deep under the water, the light became strange, almost magical. All of the fish, coral, and plants were different colours and patterns. 'We all live in harmony down here,' said Pixie. 'It is a peaceful life.'

Finally, Sara and Pixie reached the deepest part of the ocean. Fish danced all around them, making shapes and patterns. 'You are the first human who has come this far,' said Pixie. 'I am glad to be here,' said Sara. 'We have a gift for you,' adds Pixie.

Pixie swam away into the deep, looking for something. Sara wondered what her gift was going to be. Soon, Pixie came back with something glittering and beautiful. 'A crown for you, our new Queen of the Ocean!' And with that, Sara began her reign!

The new Queen of the Ocean was led to a soft bed. 'Please stay with us forever, Your Majesty,' Pixie said. 'I will, I will live in this world with all of you!' replied Queen Sara. But she felt her eyes closing, as the bed was so comfortable. 'I will... stay here... in the ocean...' she said, and fell asleep.

Sara wakes up! She is floating in the creek near her house. She is not in the ocean world anymore. 'What a fantastic dream,' she said. 'Did the ocean world even exist?'

Sara decides to become an ocean explorer! She draws pictures of the world she saw and shows them to her friends. 'One day, I will go back there,' she said. 'I will study hard and prove that the ocean world exists!'