Engleski B - 2021. jesen, reading 3.

Ariel, the mermaid

I grew up on the coast and the sea has always fascinated me. Although most of my friends were too scared to go swimming after watching The Shark, the film Splash played a huge part in my childhood and I spent lots of time under water. And then I grew up. I thought the big city lifestyle was what I wanted. At 16 I moved to London. Unfortunately I didn’t have many friends or family there although I was born there. I was lonely, so I returned home to St Ives and I decided to stay.
I started working as a fitness instructor but I soon quit. I enjoyed watching the waves and the sea and when one evening I saw the most gorgeous sunset, I realised that was where I was meant to be. It hit me – I could be a mermaid.
I bought a mermaid tail and posted on Instagram that people might see a mermaid in St Ives, and then I slipped into the water and swam around the harbour. Initially I thought I’d hop into the sea on weekends, but now I swim every day. I might even turn this hobby into a profession. Now, five years later, I know leaving London was a life-saving decision.
I change into my tail and swim out to sea before I appear swimming towards the beach. I use social media to announce where and when I will be appearing so children and parents can talk to me and take photos.
The doctors and nurses at the hospital, where I work as a receptionist, are incredibly supportive. They call me Ariel like in that favourite children’s movie, because they know how much swimming means to me.