The big news at Coral Reef School was buzzing through every shell and coral hallway.
“Attention, class!” said Mrs. Tulla, the sea turtle teacher, adjusting her gold glasses. “Tomorrow is our Underwater Talent Show!”
The classroom filled with bubbles of excitement.
Coralina twirled her tail. “I’m going to do a dance with sparkly shells!”
Sir Bubblesworth puffed up proudly. “I shall recite a poem about seaweed.”
Finley zipped in circles. “I—I’m going to… um… well… I don’t know yet!”
Marina smiled kindly. “You’ll think of something amazing, Finley.”
Finley sighed, his fins drooping. “I hope so. I’ve never been good at performing. Every time I try, my tail gets tangled.”
Marina tilted her head. “Maybe I can help! My magic bubbles could make your act even more fun!”
Finley’s eyes lit up. “You’d really help me?”
“Of course!” said Marina. “What are friends for?”
Practice Time
After school, they met in the coral courtyard to practice.
Marina held her notebook while Finley tried tricks.
“Ta-da!” he said, spinning through a loop of seaweed — but he came out backward, upside down, and stuck in the coral.
“Ugh! I’m more knotted than a jellyfish tentacle.”
Marina giggled. “Let’s try something simple. How about a bubble dance?”
Finley blinked. “A bubble what?”
“You swim in circles while I make bubbles float around you!” she said. “It’ll look magical!”
They practiced for hours.
Marina waved her hands, and shiny bubbles spun around Finley as he twirled.
“It’s working!” he shouted — but then he swam too fast and whoosh! The bubbles lifted him straight up until he got stuck to the ceiling coral!
“Marinaaaa!” he laughed, spinning upside down.
“Oh no!” Marina gasped. “Hang on!”
She took a deep breath. “Float down slowly… like seaweed in a wave…”
Finley drifted back down, landing safely.
“Phew!” he said. “That was a close call.”
Marina smiled shyly. “Maybe we’ll keep the floating part short.”
“Good idea,” Finley said with a grin. “But that was kind of fun!”
The Big Day
The next morning, the coral auditorium glittered with lanterns.
Every seat was filled with families of fish, mermaids, and crabs.
Mrs. Tulla floated to the center. “Welcome to our Underwater Talent Show!”
One by one, the acts began.
Coralina danced with shiny seashells that jingled like music.
Sir Bubblesworth puffed dramatically as he read his seaweed poem:
“Green and wiggly, yet brave and strong…”
Everyone clapped politely.
Then Mrs. Tulla announced, “Next up, Finley the Seahorse and Marina the Mermaid!”
Finley gulped. “Oh no… I think my fins are shaking.”
Marina whispered, “You can do this. I’m right here.”
They swam to the middle of the stage.
Finley started his bubble dance — slow and graceful.
Marina raised her hands. Bubble-sparkles floated out, spinning like stars.
The crowd gasped and clapped.
“Go, Finley!” Coralina cheered.
But then… Finley’s tail brushed a bubble ring.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
The bubbles tangled around him, lifting him into the air again!
“Uh-oh,” Marina whispered.
Finley wobbled above the stage, upside down, twirling like a top.
The audience laughed — not meanly, but in delight.
Even Mrs. Tulla giggled.
Marina blushed, then grinned. “Okay, new trick!”
She clapped her hands. A wave of smaller bubbles appeared beneath Finley, twinkling like lights.
Finley spun again — this time on purpose — and landed in a soft bubble seat with a big bow.
The audience cheered wildly.
A Round of Applause
Finley bowed (still sitting in his bubble). “Thank you! I call that the Bubble Twist!”
Marina smiled proudly beside him.
Even Captain Crabby clapped his claws. “Not bad, not bad at all. Hmph.”
Mrs. Tulla announced, “And the prize for the most creative act goes to… Finley and Marina!”
Everyone cheered as Marina and Finley swam up to accept a shiny coral medal.
Finley beamed. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Marina.”
Marina giggled. “We make a good team — even when we float a little too high.”
They both laughed, surrounded by floating bubbles that sparkled like tiny stars.
⭐ Follow-Up Questions
1️⃣ What happened when Finley practiced his act with Marina’s magic?
2️⃣ How did Marina help fix the problem during the show?
3️⃣ What did Marina and Finley learn about teamwork?
