Taytum was a little mermaid. She lived by the Harbor, where boats bobbed up and down.
Taytum was brave, but also a bit shy. When big voices came, she hid behind seaweed and peeked.
One quiet morning, Taytum saw something sad. The Harbor light was dark. The tall lamp near the water would not glow.
Taytum whispered, “Oh no. Boats need the light.”
A small friend floated down from the night sky. It was Moon Child. Moon Child was gentle and curious, with soft, silvery hair like moonshine.
Moon Child asked, “Why is it dark?”
“The Harbor light is off,” said Taytum.
Moon Child tilted their head. “Let’s help. Together.”
Taytum nodded. “Together.”
They swam near the docks. They looked under ropes. They looked behind barrels. Taytum’s tail swished: swish, swish.
Moon Child pointed. “A shell!”
Taytum picked it up. It was a shiny seashell, but it was empty.
Then they heard a tiny sound: tap… tap… tap.
Behind a post stood a Sorcerer. He wore a long coat that smelled like old smoke. In his hand was a small jar.
Inside the jar was a little glow, like a firefly made of moonlight.
Moon Child gasped. “That is my moonbeam!”
The Sorcerer huffed. “I wanted the Harbor to be mine. No light, no visitors.”
Taytum felt her tummy go tight. She wanted to hide.
But she remembered the boats. She remembered little sailors waving.
Taytum lifted her chin. “Please give it back.”
The Sorcerer shook his head. The jar clinked.
Moon Child whispered to Taytum, “We can be smart. Not loud. Smart.”
Taytum looked around. She saw a bucket of water on the dock. She saw a bell rope.
Taytum said softly, “Moon Child, can you shine a little, just a little?”
Moon Child glowed faintly. Just enough.
The Sorcerer leaned closer to the glow. “Brighter!” he said.
Taytum swam fast and flicked her tail. Splash!
Water jumped into the Sorcerer’s face. “Bloop!”
“Ah-choo!” the Sorcerer sneezed.
Clink!
The jar slipped from his hand and landed in a net. Safe.
Moon Child grabbed the jar and hugged it. “My moonbeam!”
Taytum pulled the rope. Ding-ding! The Harbor bell rang.
People came to see. The Sorcerer frowned, then walked away, grumbling, “Too many helpers here.”
Moon Child opened the jar. The moonbeam flew out like a tiny, happy comet.
It zipped into the Harbor lamp.
WHOOSH.
The light turned on. Warm and bright.
Boats bobbed. The water sparkled. Taytum smiled so wide her cheeks felt funny.
Moon Child said, “You were brave.”
Taytum whispered, “I was scared… but I did it.”
A sailor on the dock waved. “Thank you, little mermaid!”
He tossed a gift into the water: a small treasure box, tied with a blue ribbon.
Taytum opened it. Inside was a pretty necklace made of smooth sea-glass, green and blue.
Moon Child clapped. “A Harbor treasure!”
Taytum put it on. It felt cool and safe.
That night, the Harbor light shone bright. Taytum and Moon Child watched it together, listening to the gentle splash, splash, splash.