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by Trinka Hakes Noble (Author), Doris Ettlinger (Illustrator)
A gorgeously illustrated original legend explaining the origin of sea glass.
Long, long ago there was a time when men did not venture into the deep ocean waters. It was believed that the world was flat and to sail beyond the horizon meant falling off the edge of the earth. So even though they were drawn to and fascinated by the ocean, men feared it. As men lived their lives above the water, far beyond their view and in the ocean's deepest depths lived mysterious and magical sea creatures, half girl and half fish. These shy, gentle creatures were called mermaids and much loved by the ocean.
When men finally overcame their fear and ventured out to sea, risking disaster and even death, it was the mermaids who came to their rescue from storms and shipwrecks. But as more and more ships and people sailed the seas, more and more needed rescuing, and the mermaids could not save them all. When a mermaid sheds a tear for a sailor she cannot save, the tear becomes the precious, colorful gem that we call sea glass.
