Emerald swam and swam at the sea trying to look for the special clam so she can be human again. She swam and swam, but all she saw were colorful fishes, corals, and ordinary-looking clams. While she was swimming, she bumped into a male specie that has a tail like hers-- a merman!
"Ouch, look where you're going!" the merman snapped. Emerald was taken aback because she was not used to being shouted at. However, she regained her footing (or tailing, if that's more appropriate) and said "Sorry, I did not notice you."
The merman realized that he had been so arrogant and said, "Sorry, I've been harsh. I've got a lot on my plate, right now. I'm Carlos, by the way. I haven't seen you before. What's your name?"
"Emerald. I'm new here. I wandered in search of the magic clam".
"Magic clam? Is there such a thing? All clams are the same to me," Carlos said.
Emerald explained, "Yes. According to an old powerful merman, that magic clam has special powers."