A morose mermaid with white shells and purple scales sat on her island rock, combing her sea-green hair with a starfish broken in two. She looked out over the gentle blue waves and squinted against the reflecting sunlight. Her name was Despondu.
Despondu released a sigh and tossed her dead starfish into the water. She watched it sink. Bubbles rose to the surface and tickled her fin.
She wanted to smile, but she wasn't sure how.
Long before, when she was born, her mother used to sing to her. Despondu was happy then, hearing her mother's song. So the mermaid began to hum. Her voice started low and tortured.
The land's creatures quieted and turned to hear her. Long ears sagged, long necks dropped their heavy heads, wings folded, sinking in mid-flight, and then nothing moved. Every animal's sadness grew with the strength of Despondu's tune.
As she fought the tears, her hum shook her throat, and her mouth opened to a lonely melody.
It carried across the wind and water, over the trees and clouds, searching for happiness. But none would come.
Despondu's song closed on a wail. Her love was gone. She would outlive many humans, but she never thought her life would be a curse until now.
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