Hi there,
I'm Fran,
And I'm so grateful to have you here,
Ready to listen to The Good Sea Monster.
Now,
The Good Sea Monster is actually a traditional public domain story,
Written by Abby Phillips Walker in her bedtime story collection,
The Sandman's Hour.
I've adapted it ever so slightly for modern day,
And to make the story feel a little more dreamy and wholesome.
I hope you enjoy it.
The Good Sea Monster On a distant island of smooth rocks,
Surrounded by an endless ocean,
Lived a sea monster.
His head was enormous,
And when he opened his mouth it looked like a vast,
Moonlit cave.
People said he was so huge that he could swallow a ship whole.
And that on stormy nights,
He sat on the rocks,
While his eyes flashed like lighthouse beams across the dark water.
The sailors spoke of him with fear and trembling,
But the sea monster had really been their friend all along,
Showing them the dangerous rocks during storms by flashing his eyes.
Because he looked so frightening,
Everyone who saw him thought he must be cruel and terrible.
One night,
During a fierce storm,
The monster swam out into the churning ocean to see if any ship had been wrecked,
Hoping to help anyone who might be floating in the waves.
He found a young boy named Coco,
Drifting on a piece of broken wood.
When Coco first saw the monster,
He was terrified.
But when he realized the creature meant no harm,
He climbed onto the monster's broadback.
The monster carried him gently to the rocky island.
Then the monster disappeared back into the sea,
And Coco wondered if he would be left alone forever.
But after a while,
The monster returned,
And opened his mouth very wide.
Coco ran when he saw that enormous mouth,
Thinking the monster planned to swallow him.
But when the creature didn't follow or chase him,
Coco crept back,
Curious.
The monster opened his mouth again,
And Coco asked,
Do you want me to go inside?
The monster nodded his great head slowly.
It must be for some good reason,
Coco said to himself.
He could easily swallow me if he had wanted to,
Without waiting for me to walk in.
So Coco walked into the big mouth,
And down a dark,
Winding passage.
The air smelled of salt and seaweed,
And after his eyes adjusted to the dim light,
He saw a wooden stove,
A comfortable chair,
And a sturdy table.
I should take these out,
Coco said.
I'm sure I can use them.
He carried them to a dry cave on the island,
And when he returned,
The monster was gone.
Soon he came back,
Opening his mouth once more.
This time,
Coco walked in without hesitation,
And found boxes and barrels full of food,
Which he carefully stored in his cave.
When Coco had removed everything,
The monster lay down on the rocks,
And went to sleep.
Coco cooked himself dinner,
And then he gently woke the monster.
Dinner is ready,
He offered,
But the monster shook his head and dove into the ocean.
He returned with his mouth full of silver fish,
And then Coco understood that the monster had brought all these things from sunken ships just for him.
He began to wish the monster could speak,
For he no longer feared him at all.
I wish you could talk,
Coco said aloud.
I can,
The monster replied in a voice like distant thunder.
No one ever wished it before.
Long ago,
An old witch transformed me into a monster,
And placed me on this island where no one could reach me.
The only way I can speak is if someone wishes it.
Well,
I'm glad I wished it,
Said Coco.
You have given me the gift of speech,
Said the monster,
But for me to become human again,
Someone else must wish it.
The monster and Coco lived peacefully on the island for many months.
The monster took Coco for long rides on his back through the calm waters.
And when the waves grew too high and Coco felt afraid,
The monster would open his mouth so Coco could crawl inside and be carried safely back to shore.
One morning after a storm,
Coco spotted something floating in the distance.
He climbed onto the monster's back,
And they swam out to investigate.
It was a girl about Coco's age who had survived a shipwreck.
They brought her to the island,
And at first she was frightened of the monster.
But when she learned that he had saved Coco and provided all their food and shelter,
She grew as fond of him as Coco was.
I wish he were human,
She said one day as she sat on his back with Coco,
Ready for their daily swim.
With a great splash,
Both children tumbled into the water,
And there in place of the monster was a kind old man with twinkling eyes and a long white beard.
He caught the children in his arms and brought them safely to shore.
But what will we do for food now that you're human?
Asked Coco,
Worried.
We shall want for nothing,
Replied the old man with a gentle smile.
I am a sea god,
And now that I have my true form again,
I can do wonderful things.
We will transform this island into a beautiful garden with fruit trees and clear streams.
When you both grow up,
You can choose your own adventures.
Perhaps you'll become explorers of distant lands,
Or scholars of the ocean's mysteries,
Or simply the very best of friends who share incredible stories.
And I will take you out on the ocean,
On the backs of my dolphins,
Whenever you wish.
Coco and the girl lived happily on the enchanted island,
Exploring tide pools and learning the names of every star.
As they grew older,
They became the dearest of friends,
And all the things the old sea god had promised came true.
The dolphins carried them to coral gardens and hidden lagoons,
And they discovered that the greatest treasure of all was the friendship they shared and the magical world they had found together.
Sweet dreams.
