Jessica's Adventure

And he collected his tired wings and wobbled down in the sea, rocking himself to sleep on the waves. Jessica watched him longingly. She would very much like to do the same as him. But her mother had told her not to go swimming. Just stay by the shore. But she wondered… if she just went very very close to the beach, she would put her hands down so that she could always feel the sand… And when she didn’t’ anymore, she just had to swim back! Nothing easier than that. She grinned. She would do it. It would be cool and she could take her nap in the water with her friend the sea gull!

It was so nice and cool! And the sky was so blue. And her friend the sea gull was rocking just next to her! As Jessica lay in the waves, she felt her hair flowing around her and her dress being rocked gently by the waves. The sun was warm on her face and she was getting a bit tired. But she kept her one hand on the sand as she had promised herself. Back and forth, back and forth the waves rocked her, the sun continued shining and slowly Jessica’s hand left the sand… She dreamed of the seagulls flying, she actually believed she was awake and saw her friends turning in the air above her. She dreamed of all the seashells, the way they must have looked when they had been on the sandy bottom of sea, gleaming in the sun, sparkling in all the colors of the rainbow. She smiled to herself, not feeling the waves slowly carrying her further and further away from the beach… And Jessica slept and the afternoon passed. And the waves carried Jessica far away to the middle of the sea! And then it got cold. The sun hid behind a cloud. Jessica’s dress seemed very heavy all of a sudden, pulling her down. And then she was breathing water - she woke with a start from her dream, spluttering water and fighting for air. She was splashing the water, trying to find hold in the sand and panting for air. Where was the beach? She had just closed her eyes for a moment no? She managed to get the hair out of her face and looked around her. There was only water! And the waves were getting higher! She panicked and tried to scream. "Helpblobb, helpblobb"! She got more water in her mouth and her legs and arms were getting tired from trying to stay above water. "Mom" Jessica thought, "Mom, I will never go into the sea again - I promise, but please help me out!". Jessica’s tears mingled with the salty seawater. Please help me someone, Jessica thought. I will not manage by my own! And all of a sudden over the sound of the waves and her own muffled screams, she heard shrieks coming closer. It was like thunder and it was coming at her! And she couldn’t get away. She couldn’t see! She got more and more scared and felt that she couldn’t keep up much longer. Then when she thought that she would be caught in the middle of a thunderstorm, she felt she was being pulled out of the water. The sound of the wings was overpowering. Jessica was so frightened! Then close to her ear, she heard a light bird voice "Jessica, don’t be scared, it is only us - we will help you!" And then Jessica looked into the little seagull’s eyes, already tired from the pulling with all his friends.