Submission (#1325) Approved

Lulla woke up from a long nap she had taken—well, it had actually turned into a full-on sleep because when she finally opened her eyes, it was morning. But not just any morning—it was the morning that marked the final crawl to spring! Lulla stretched out her arms and yawned, her soft, blonde hair spilling across her shoulders like sun-kissed waves. She quickly realized that the time had come to prepare for the long winter’s last stretch. It was the perfect time to gather what she needed for the months ahead!

In a flurry of excitement, she hopped up from her little nook in the sand, her feet barely touching the ground as she ran toward the ocean. Her steps were so quick and light that she almost felt like she could run on the water itself—almost! But instead, she giggled to herself, splashing lightly as she made her way to her favorite spot—the tide pools.

The tide pools were a magical place to her, where the sea met the land in a gentle embrace. As she knelt beside the pools, she greeted her friends with a soft murmur of thanks. Her little crab friends scuttled around, presenting her with the sea’s treasures—some had gathered bundles of deep green kelp, their tiny claws clinking against the rocks, while others proudly offered up shellfish, their iridescent shells gleaming in the soft morning light. A few more of her ocean pals had left behind tiny clams and small, plump mussels, all waiting to be added to her meal.

With her arms full of gifts from the sea, Lulla smiled softly. She patted her friends on their tiny heads, whispering her thanks, and then made her way toward the bay—a place where her heart always felt at peace.

Though she had so many sea creatures as friends, Lulla understood that the circle of life, just like the waves themselves, was a natural thing. As much as she loved the fish who swam alongside her, she knew they played their part in the world. Today, she needed a bit of fish for the stew she was planning, so she set off to her favorite fishing spot.

Hours passed by in what felt like a quiet, peaceful blur. Lulla hummed softly to herself as she waded into the shallow waters, her fingers gently brushing over the cool, slippery surface. Her fishing basket, woven from ocean reeds, was soon filled with delicate fish—sparkling scales in shades of gold, silver, and deep blue. The fish glided gracefully into the basket, their gentle flapping like a tiny whisper of thanks for the care Lulla always showed them.

With a satisfied smile, she headed back toward her cozy little home, her basket now brimming with the best of what the ocean had to offer. The fish, kelp, mussels, and shellfish all filled the woven container in a delightful, colorful display of ocean bounty.

Once home, Lulla took a deep breath of the fresh sea air and began to set up her kitchen. Her wooden spoon, smooth and worn from years of use, sat waiting on the counter beside her favorite chopping board—now adorned with the faintest trace of sea salt from countless cooking sessions. She lovingly arranged all her ingredients: the fish were flaked delicately, the mussels gently steamed open to release their sweet, briny aroma, and the kelp was chopped finely into thin ribbons, its rich, umami scent already filling the air.

Lulla added her ingredients into a large pot, letting them dance together in a bubbling broth of seaweed, herbs, and a touch of sea salt. As the stew simmered, the smell was heavenly—a comforting blend of the ocean’s best offerings: the fresh, salty tang of the sea mixed with the earthy, green scent of kelp and the savory richness of fish. It was the kind of meal that could warm anyone’s heart and soul, especially on a chilly day with spring just on the horizon.

Excited to share her meal, Lulla invited her dear friend Nymphadora over for dinner. The two of them laughed and chatted, their voices carrying softly through the sea breeze. They shared stories of their little adventures, their days spent in the quiet beauty of the ocean and the magical creatures that called it home. For a moment, the worries of the long winter seemed far away, replaced by the warmth of good food, even better company, and the soft glow of the coming spring.

Reward	Amount
Present Box	1
Plipz	1000
Harmonious Flavours!	1