The Underwater World

This thrilling story about a strange world is contributed by Lehini Nair, 9, Malaysia.

Snorkeling

One day two smart students named Austin and Selena went snorkeling under the sea. They both loved to go snorkeling. 

On their way to Marina Beach, Austin found a newspaper that was about a teacher missing from Huston High for 4 years and another article saying that a

woman has lost her child and something about an upcoming movie called Captain Marvel. 

“That must be Mister Manner” shouted Selena when she read about the missing teacher.

“Yes, maybe, but let’s just forget about it for now. We can worry about it

after snorkeling” said Austin. 

“Okay” said Selena. 

When they reached, they got their suits ready. They quickly jumped from a cliff and started snorkeling. On their way back to shore, they saw a long tunnel leading to a place. They both went through it. 

When they reached a dead end, they both were about to turn but before they could, they saw this huge underwater world and the door behind them closed. 

Austin saw many colorful fish and Selena saw many seahorses.

Somebody familiar

Austin and Selena were exploring the place. They saw somebody who looked familiar. 

They went closer and they saw Mister Manner. He was busy talking to something that looked like fish. 

They both said, “Hi Mister Manner”. 

Mister Manner said “How did you find this place?”

“We saw a huge tunnel that led us here” said Selena. 

“How can you breathe underwater and speak to fish?” asked Austin. 

“I learnt that in this certain part of the ocean, the corals are magical as they let out a residue. That makes us breathe and talk to fish,” replied Mister

Manner. 

“How long have you been stuck here?” asked both of them. 

“I will explain tomorrow. Just get comfortable first” said Mister Manner.

Staying here

Mister Manner gave them a tour of the place. After he finished he took them to their rooms. 

Austin asked “Are we actually staying here forever?"

 “Yes, because there is no way out” said Mister Manner.

Selena said “What if we try to find a way out?”

Mister Manner said “Maybe we can, but we need good sleep so get to bed”. 

They all went to bed. Selena couldn’t sleep. She was worried if she would ever get out of the ocean to see her friends and family. 

When it was morning Austin and Selena went to the breakfast room to meet Mister Manner. 

Mister Manner said “One day I went scuba diving and I saw a trail of corals so I

followed them and it brought me here. I tried to escape but I couldn’t.
Good thing I found out that I could already breathe underwater.”

Finding a Way Out

After they had their breakfast, they started finding a way out. 

They all split up. Austin found a little slide going somewhere. He called the others. They were curious to see what was under. Mister Manner was the most surprised because he had never seen this slide. 

Austin went first because he was the most excited, followed by Mister Manner and Selena. However, they all got stuck and had to climb out. 

Selena said “Keep on looking. I am sure we can find a way out.” 

“What if we can’t? We have to give up hope sometime soon,” said Mister Manner. 

“No we can’t,” said Selena in a stern voice. 

They kept on looking but soon they all started to lose hope including Selena.

Until……..

One day Selena saw a little shell that played a mysterious, gloomy tune. The weird tune made a giant, frightening and loud barrier open and it seemed like a way out.

She frantically called the others, they all came running to her and saw the huge barrier opening. They all were amazed to see the shore. They were very happy but Mister Manner felt a little sad as he had become used to the underwater world. 

“I can’t believe I’m finally out of here” said Mister Manner in astonishment. 

They all promised each other to keep the place a secret, so that there would not be any disturbances or destructions to the beautiful underwater kingdom. 

They all said their last goodbyes and swam out. Waiting for them with tears in their eyes were their parents and the police. 

Selena and Austin were very happy and Mister Manner was grateful to them for getting him out.