Once, long ago, lived a King, who ruled over all the sea.
He lived at the bottom of the Ocean, in a beautiful Crystal
Palace.
His name was King Neptune the Sixth . He was a kind
man with two beautiful daughters, called Serine and Rosalin.
Who were born on the same day, making them twins.
Unlike we humans, who can walk on two legs.
The King and his daughters had tails, like any fish, to
swim with in the sea, they were called mermen and mermaids
Although Serine and Rosalin looked so alike, their natures
were quite different.
Serine was very shy and quiet, while Rosalin was the
opposite, laughing and happy and very much quicker at
playing games.
They were very good friends and were often seen swimming
and playing in the Palace grounds, at the bottom of the sea.
Now the King their father was hoping his daughters would
soon marry, as they were of an age to choose a young merman
as a husband.
The King felt he really was growing older now and they
were getting to be quite a burden.
He did have to keep reminding his Ministers to keep an
eye on them.
As soon it would be his birthday, he decided to give a
birthday party.
This party was to be different to the ones the King usually had
He sent out invitations with a message that any young
merman wishing to marry one of the Princesses must
find and bring to the party the loveliest of all the pearls
he could find.
Each of the Princesses would choose a pearl and the owner
of that pearl would marry that Princess. This message
was sent out far and wide with invitations to everyone.
King Neptune sent one of his servants, to tell his daughters
to meet him in the Throne Room.
There he told them of his plan for each of the sisters to
find a husband and of the invitations he had sent to
everyone especially all young mermen.
Serine and Rosalin listened to what their father said with
looks of surprise.
"But father," said Rosalin, "we need time to think."
King Neptune smiled and said:
"It is the Pearl that you like, which chooses the young
merman." he continued: " If you do not see one to your
liking... well just  don't choose."
This sounded much better to the young princesses as
it was the type of adventure they liked, so they agreed to
the plan.
The sisters were very excited, wondering what to wear
and of course their tails must shine for the occasion,
jewels must be worn.
On this we leave the two young mermaids planning for
the party.
Now far away to the South, where the water was warmer.
There lived two young mermen Petros and Justos, who
had grown up together, played in the waves, listened to
stories and been to school together.
They were very good friends and were now learning to
be Doctors to work in a hospital which cared for all
sorts of fish and mer-people.
When the message came from the Palace telling everyone
that all young single mermen should bring the best
pearl they could find to the Palace.

That King Neptune would be having a Birthday Party at
which his two beautiful daughters might choose the
mermen they would marry.
The choice would go to the two young mermen who
could show the most exquisite of pearls.
The two friends thought this was quite a challenge
and as they were both on holiday, decided they would
like to try for the prize of marrying one of the princesses

They remembered long ago, when they were quite
young, an old merman had told them of caves much
further South, where such beautiful pearls could be found.
So Petros and Justos said goodbye to their parents.
They took a shell and blew on it, which made a whistle
sound and called for their strongest dolphins, they
knew they would travel a long way and the seas might
get stormy.
With a long spear, the shell to call the dolphins and
a small bag made of seaweed, to carry the oysters,
which held the pearls they would collect, they sat on
the dolphins backs and moved slowly off.
The day was just starting and all day they travelled
to the south, when night came they found a place to sleep.
Next day they set off again and during that day came
signs of a storm coming, they were near an island, which
had large caves on the coast and as the tide was high, were
able to swim into the caves.
Justos and Petros, let the dolphins swim under the water,
until the storm was over.
The young mermen soon found a way into the caves
and found themselves in a large cave, which glistened.
Then they heard a sound like singing and was quite
interested, so they went further into the cave.
They saw three young mermaids playing and singing,
near them was an old merman asleep, quietly swaying in
the water.
Justos and Petros swam nearer and shouted greetings,
which woke the old merman up.
As every one was friendly in 'Sealand the two friends
were soon telling the old merman why they were there.
"Well," said the merman called Benji.
"You are quite right, in coming this way, we do have
some of the loveliest pearls here."
Justos asked "Could you tell us exactly were they
are," the old merman smiled and said.
"They are more to the South, if you keep to this shore
side of the Island, you will soon know where they are."
Justos asked Benji. "Would you tell us if the Oysters
will trade their pearls, to us."
The old merman moved his head, as if to say no and said.
"l don't think so, that is something you will have to find out."
With that he dived into the waters of the cave, when the two
friends looked around, they realised the singing had stopped
and the young mermaids had also gone.
So as soon as the storm was over, the young mermen swam
out of the cave and called for the dolphins to come,
climbing on their backs, they were on their way and
still moving south.
About an hour had passed, when they came to a place
where the water was clear and the mermen could see
lovely large oysters in the water.
Stopping, Justos and Petros swam to one of the largest
oysters in the water and bending over the oyster.
Petros called "Hello there!" to the shellfish, the oyster

in a deep crusty voice said.
"Hello, can I help you, you seem far away from your family."
Petros introduced he and his friend to the oyster and
the oyster told them he was the Main Oyster there.
They soon were telling Main Oyster everything
not missing anything out, the oyster listened to the
two young mermen thought quietly for a moment, then
opening his shell blew out a large bubble and in a deep
voice said.
"This seems to me, that l must call a meeting," and in
saying this blew a series of little bubbles which spread out.
Each large oyster seemed to be drawn to the Main
Oyster, there were lots and lots of bubbles coming
from all the oysters, which the two young friends
thought, this must be the way the oysters spoke to each other.
Then as the oysters moved nearer to each other, they
all seemed to be just staying quietly for a little while,
then they all moved away.
The Main Oyster came over to the two friends and spoke.
"We have decided to let you take one oyster each, with a
pearl in on condition that when you arrive at the Palace the
pearl in the oyster is not taken out," he continued.
"Unless of course the princesses choose the pearls
and marries one or each of you."
Justos and Petros agreed, so the two most finest
pearls were chosen and just for the two mermen to see
they were the loveliest pearls, the two Oysters opened
their shells and there lying in the middle, were two of
the largest Pearls the two friends had ever seen, so
beautiful with a soft glow.
After thanking all the oysters and promising that if the
pearls were not chosen they would bring the oysters back,
the two young mermen called again for their trusted
dolphins and with the oysters settled in the seaweed bags,
set off for the Palace.
Mean while at the Palace things were very busy.
The King had ordered a large band to play at his party
and a very exited crowd gathered to watch the musicians
arrive at the Palace.
Cecil Crab, who was going to play the organ looked
very important as he pulled on his free white glove.
A little urchin fish in the crowd shouted "Hi! Mister,
where's your instrument," and yelped as his mother
smacked his tail for being cheeky.
There was a roar of laughter from the crowd, when
Oscar Octopus arrived in a large shell drawn by six
seahorses, he couldn't make up his mind, which part
of him should get out first and ended up squeezing
his bag pipes in the door, which made a really
funny sound, he turned quite pink with shame.
There were Oooh˜s and Aaah's and a few whistles,
when Marilyn and Madonna, the beautiful Mermaid
sisters moved down from the next shell, wearing the
latest fashions and carrying their guitars.
A famous trumpeter, Satchmo Salmon, from the
King's Army arrived riding his Seahorse and
wearing a very dashing uniform.
Lastly arrived Louis Lobster with eight drums,
waving his claws as his coach brought him
past the crowd of spectators.
Quite a cheer went up from the crowd.
Lots of little fish were hurrying into the Palace
with all kinds of food and other arrangements.
It was a very busy morning for the helpers of the

Palace, as the party started that afternoon.
All sorts of fish were coming, large and small,
mothers and fathers, with their children, mermaids
and mermen, carrying their oyster shells with them
to show their lovely pearls and hope to marry
one of the princesses.
It was a grand affair, they were arriving from all over the seas
King Neptune wanted it to be a success, so he
asked to be informed of all storms and such like, that
might stop the fish from getting to the party, but as it
happened the weather had been fairly calm.
Soon balloons and streamers were seen floating along
the halls of the palace, small and large fish were busy
polishing up their scales, to make their tails shine,
everyone was very happy in Fishland.
There was a lot of excitement among the female fish and
mermaids, because it was known that, that very afternoon,
a very famous Professor was coming as a special guest
of King Neptune
He was called Professor Sing Sing and lived in a distant land.
He had been invited to show everyone some exciting
discoveries and if the king was impressed with what he
saw he would trade with the Professor's country of
course this brought a bubble of interest, and wondering
what he may bring.
Professor Sing Sing arrived at the great undersea palace
in a large chariot, driven by a very large snake like fish
called Basil, who felt very important and every so often
lifted his long head and swayed one side, then the other,
watching to see if the way was clear.
The professor was a tall thin man, with a very swaying type
of body like the fish who pulled the chariot,
Professor Sing Sing had a long flowing beard which
floated this way and that and the coat he wore
was quite spectacular in gold and red stripes.
As the crowd looked into the chariot they could see large
and small brightly coloured parcels.
King Neptune came out of his palace to greet the professor
and led him to the large hall, where everyone was still busy.
The Professor was very impressed with all the work that
was going on and was soon preparing the parcels,
which he had taken from the chariot these, he would be
giving out to all the guests at the party.
Soon, he too was as excited as everyone else.
Time passed and guests started to arrive.
By the time the princesses came down to greet every
one the hall was quite full.
All the young mermen, who were hoping to marry
one of the princesses, were crowding into the Palace
with their pearls, wanting to catch a glimpse of the two
sisters.
Tables had been put along the side of the great hall, with
food and drink for everyone, such a lovely sight to see,
jellies of every different colour, flavoured ice-creams,
all sorts of cakes, large dishes of fruit and sweets.
The seating was most unusual, not all fish can sit, so
large pink and blue Shells were used with soft
Mother~of-Pearl inside the shell, which didn't hurt anyone
who used them.
Some of the guests came with large monicals, this is a
long stick with a magnifying glass at the end they
were very popular among the guests.
They went around inspecting all the different things on
the tables, bending over and looking through the monicals

saying “Ahh”˜ or “Hmm” maybe putting a fin in the
different tasting ice-creams and saying ˜Mm, tasty, very tasty
Some of the very small shell fish, pink, yellow or white had
shone their shells to shine so brightly until there seemed
to be a glow coming from the shell, they were very lovely to see.
Small flying fiah sparkled silver as they passed by the
lights that hung from the walls of the Hall.
Music could be heard very softly but lovely to hear.
The band had practiced all morning and were feeling quite
good as they started to play in fish time and all the guests
started to swing their tails or their heads in time with the
rhythm. 
One turtle and jelly fish joined in and shook as they moved
to the music, mermen and mermaids danced together
swaying in the water. Everyone wanted to show how
well they could dance to the music, it was a jolly
swinging party and was going fine.
Then Louise Lobster struck on the drums and
announced King Neptune to the guests and everyone
sang, and shouted.
"Hurrah for King Neptune".
Lots of clapping of hands and fins, then hush .... ..
King Neptune with a trident in his hand [which is
like a large garden fork, to show he is King.] a gleaming
crown on his head, looked around at everyone.
"My friends!" he said, " Thank you for coming to my
birthday party, as you all know, my two beautiful daughters."
[Turning to them and smiling,] "Will be choosing a husband
today,"
This brought whistles and shouts, the king waited until it
was quiet.
He then said. " Also, l have a surprise for everyone.
We have a special guest, Professor Sing Sing, who has
come from a distant land to bring you all gifts."
There were loud shouts of Oh! Oh! and Wow! and
clapping from everyone.
The Professor came forward and raised his hands,
he looked around at everyone and said.
Thank you all and especially King Neptune;"
He turned and bowed to the king, who nodded back.
The professor then sat down and his majesty lifted his
trident and when all was quiet, said.
"First we must have the young mermen, who have
brought Oysters with pearls in, to come forward."
One by one the mermen swam in front of the King
and the two Princesses, each opening their oyster
to show the pearls they had brought.
The sisters looked at the young merman and the pearl
in the oyster and kept moving their head side ways, saying no
You see they were really not sure the kind of pearl or
merman they wanted.
Some of the mermen were too fat or too thin, too long or
short, the princesses were worried that, their father may
be wanting them to hurry with their choice and they just
couldn't make up their minds.
Now Justos and Petros, were late arriving so they were
at the end of the line and just as Serina and Rosalin were
about to decide on two, they were not sure of, the
king said to them.
"Dear ones don't chose yet, see everyone and then
decide," which made Serina and Rosalin feel much better.
On went the line of young mermen, until the last two
who were Petros and Justos, looking very handsome.
Serina gazed at Justos, she smiled a quiet shy smile

and he looked back with such happiness in his eyes.
He said to the oyster "Oyster, please open and show
how beautiful you shine to these lovely Princesses."
t which the oyster slowly but gracefully opened, there
was a gasp from Serina.
Everyone saw a beautiful glow coming from the shell,
there sitting in the middle of the oyster, was a pearl
looking so lovely. Serina knew this was her choice.
Then Petrus moved forward to show the pearl he had
brought, this time Rosalin just couldn't keep from
admiring him with his handsome face and his way of moving
The pearl was just as exquisite as Justos' so the
two princesses who were overjoyed with the two
friends, chose them as their future husbands..
King Neptune was very happy that it was all settled
so quickly and the two oysters said they would be
pleased to stay at the Palace.
The princesses then told them they could be
the two ˜Head Oysters˜ in the Palace, which made
them very proud.
In the meantime Professor Sing Sing, was busy
getting ready to hand out gifts to everyone.
They were all told to line up, one by one they
moved past the professor, he gave them Kites from
China, pretty fans and Parasols from Japan, Mirrors
and combs from Egypt, these were the mermaids favourites,
and so it went on.
The young baby fish were given toys it really was a
wonderful party, and everyone was very happy with their
presents, and felt it really had been worth coming
 King Neptune's Birthday Party.
As the King said to himself. " Wait until next year and then
they will see my next surprise."
Soon everyone was tired and the lights dimmed, as a
reminder that it was nearly the end, the music stopped,
the Party was over
The princesses were very pleased with their choice of
mermem and so boys and girls one never knows, but
next year, you also may go to King Neptunes Birthday
Party. 
.............. .. Ann Pettersen 1998.