Thulia was a young girl who lived on an island named LeeLoo.

LeeLoo was a small warm tropical island hidden from the world behind the Channel Islands. 

No maps showed its name. No boats came near.

Only the wind and the stars knew where to find it.

Thulia was six years old, but soon she would turn seven. 

She counted the days by placing seashells in a jar each morning.

There were only seven shells left.

She was so excited for this day to come. It held so much meaning to her. 

Turning seven meant everything would change.

Thulia’s birthday meant she could finally swim alone!

it meant she could visit the Channel Islands!

It meant she could interact with humans but most importantly... 

At age seven she would get her fins.

I get my fins; I get to search for a new home!

In Thulia’s family, children were part human and part sea spirit.

Their fins only appeared on their seventh birthday- glimmering, graceful, and strong.

With fins, one could travel far across the ocean.

And search for a new home.

Thulia's home was slowly dissapearring beneath the sea waters.

Each day, the ocean crept further inland. Palm trees that once stood tall near the edge of the sand now leaned into the water, half-drowned.

Fish darted through Thulia’s garden during high tide.

Coral reefs that sparkled last year now lay dull and gray.

Her grandmother gave her a shell necklace for courage.

Her mother gave her a carved oar for guidance.

Her father gave her a little wooden boat.

“Follow the moon,” they told her. “It will guide you to where you’re meant to be.”

Finally, after many days, Thulia saw a place full of trees and songbirds.

There were children playing on the beach. People waved from homes built high on stilts. The land looked strong. The sea seemed calm.

Thulia smiled.

She had found it-

A new home, not just for her…

But maybe, one day, for all of Leeloo.