Finally came the day when I've got the most anticipated package in my life. I was impatient all the way home from the PO box. I was afraid to use scissors to cut the tape to not destroy the contents, so I cut it very carefully with a butter knife.

  There it came. My very own nylon tail. With purple scales modelled after the purple tetra.

  If I couldn't have a real tail I could always have the next best thing.

  I put my tail on. Feeling my legs bound by the scaly cloth I did not feel bound at all. I felt a thin yer of freedom.

  I loved my new tail. I could not wait to swim in it.

  I rose and fell on my face.

  Of course. Mermaids can't walk on their tails. How could I forget about that?

  I'll have to build myself a wheelchair.

  *

  I got myself to the river. I sat on the riverbank in my tail and slid into the water.

  It felt as if I was hugged from all sides by love. Love from nature that turned into love from self.

  I tried to swim. I moved my tail and tried to mimic the mermaids of my childhood stories.

  Not an inch. The river just pushed me however it wanted.

  Of course. New species comes with a new way to move. How could I forget that?

  I'll have to learn to swim like a mermaid.

  I have a lot to learn. For sure more than I even realise.