The Mermaid

Half of this caravan is taken up by a glass tank filled with murky water, the sand from the bottom whirled up by something moving rapidly. A flash of silver, and a girl leans over the brim, brown skin beaded with water droplets, dark hair clinging to her neck. She waves, and happily chirps like a dolphin. Flaps flutter on her neck and ribs, exposing red-raw flesh; you wince, before realising they are not wounds but gills. A silvery tail rises behind her, and slaps the water playfully.

She sings wordlessly, chirping and trilling, filling your heart with inexplicable joy.