The sun shimmered through the waves above Seastar Lagoon. Marina swam happily to school, humming a little tune.
It had been a great week — first she saved a pearl, then helped Finley win the talent show!
When she reached the school gates, Coralina waved from across the courtyard.
“Marina! Guess what?” she said, her pink shell necklace jingling. “Princess Pearl just invited me to help plan the Festival of Glimmering Fins!”
“That’s amazing!” Marina said. “We can both help decorate again!”
Coralina smiled proudly. “Well… the Princess said only one helper this time. She wants someone with a big personality.”
Marina blinked. “Oh.”
Coralina twirled her tail. “I’m sure you understand. You’re great at magic, but I’m more… sparkly.”
Marina forced a smile. “Of course! You’ll do great.”
But inside, her heart felt like it had sunk to the bottom of the sea.
A New Partner
At lunch, Finley and Sir Bubblesworth noticed Marina sitting quietly.
“What’s wrong?” Finley asked, munching on seaweed chips.
“It’s Coralina,” Marina said softly. “She’s helping Princess Pearl with the festival. I thought we’d do it together.”
Sir Bubblesworth puffed up thoughtfully. “Friendship tides rise and fall, my dear. Sometimes friends just drift for a bit.”
Marina poked her lunch. “Maybe she doesn’t want to be friends anymore.”
Finley shook his head. “No way! Coralina loves you! Maybe she’s just busy.”
Marina smiled a little. “Maybe you’re right.”
Still, a tiny ache stayed in her chest.
A Sticky Situation
That afternoon, Mrs. Tulla announced, “Class, today we’ll be cleaning up the coral courtyard for the festival!”
The class cheered. Everyone grabbed scrub brushes and shiny shells.
Marina floated near the coral wall, scrubbing gently. She didn’t notice Coralina swimming by with a bucket of sticky sea glue for hanging decorations.
Suddenly—SPLAT!
The bucket tipped, and the glue splashed all over Marina’s tail!
“Oh no!” Coralina cried. “I didn’t mean to—”
But Marina couldn’t move. Her tail was stuck to the coral like a barnacle!
“Help!” she squeaked.
Finley rushed over. “Don’t worry! We’ll get you out.”
Sir Bubblesworth puffed up in panic. “A tragedy! A tail tragedy!”
Coralina fluttered her hands. “I said I was sorry! I’ll fix it!”
Marina felt her face burn red. “It’s okay. Just… please, hurry.”
A Magical Mess
Marina took a deep breath. “I’ll try my bubble magic to lift myself free.”
She waved her hands. Sparkly bubbles surrounded her tail — but instead of floating, the whole coral wall lifted up!
“Marina!” Coralina shouted. “You’re moving the wrong thing!”
“I can’t stop it!” Marina yelled.
The coral wall wobbled, shaking shells loose. Finley darted forward and pushed Marina’s tail gently.
“Concentrate, Marina! Think small bubbles, not big!”
She focused hard. Slowly, the coral wall lowered back into place.
The crowd of students gasped, then clapped.
“Nice save!” someone shouted.
Mrs. Tulla swam over. “Good teamwork, class! And Marina, that was impressive control!”
Coralina’s face softened. “I’m sorry, Marina. I didn’t mean to make a mess.”
Marina smiled. “It’s okay. I guess I overreacted too.”
The Apology Gift
Later that evening, as Marina swam home, she noticed something glowing near her shell door — a little box made of coral petals.
She opened it and gasped. Inside was a tiny pink shell charm shaped like a heart. A note floated beside it:
“For my best friend. I’m sorry. Let’s decorate the festival together anyway. – Coralina 💕”
Marina’s pearl necklace glowed softly.
She smiled. “Guess the tide came back after all.”
The next day, Coralina and Marina worked side by side, laughing and hanging glittery streamers.
“You were right,” Coralina said. “You make the decorations float way better than I can.”
“And you make them sparkle better than anyone,” Marina replied.
Finley zipped past carrying a lantern. “Teamwork for the win!”
Sir Bubblesworth floated behind them, bow tie shining. “Indeed! Friendship tides are back to high!”
The festival lights shimmered all around them, and Marina thought happily,
Magic is wonderful, but friendship… that’s the real treasure.
⭐ Follow-Up Questions
1️⃣ Why did Marina feel sad at the beginning of the story?
2️⃣ How did Marina accidentally use her magic the wrong way?
3️⃣ What helped Marina and Coralina become friends again?
