The river carved its way towards the ocean, creating a winding course from deep within the interior. The dark opaque water lay glassy and calm with no wind to disrupt its luminous body. There were no boats to crack and destroy its polished beauty. Below the dark mysterious surface a lonely figure lurked searching for a mate.

The “Wata Muma” has seen many come and go. Few of those humans had interested her. Those she felt attracted to had to be approached. At the first encounter some had panicked and fled. A few had dared to enrage her. None of the latter had survived. For a few others greed had killed them all.
The group of youths swam, splashed and chased each other playfully. They were on an outing and were spending the day at the river. As they frolicked the creature scrutinised each of the men. She chose the one who was having the most fun. He might be a little more open minded. She glided silently towards the group keeping well below the surface. Each time she tried to get closer to the chosen one; another swimmer would get between them. She retreated and decided to use another strategy. She would contact him in a more direct way. Tonight she would visit him in his dreams.
Bruce and his three buddies had all brought their girlfriends up the river for a day of fun. They had walked with enough food to feed two groups their size. Everyone swam and played thoroughly enjoying the experience. As Bruce moved around in the water, he had the weirdest sensation of being watched. He kept checking both banks of the river but saw no one. He shook off the nagging feeling and continued to enjoy his day. After a splendid day they all returned to the city.
Bruce took Fay home and then headed home himself. At home he took a long, cold bath and then watched television for a while. The movie being shown was ‘SPLASH.’ It was about a mermaid and its adventures above water. He fell asleep during the movie. When he caught himself he hurried off to bed.
That night he dreamt that he was sitting on a bench by the seaside watching the rough waters as it smashed against the dock. A beautiful woman with long flowing blond hair approached him with a warm smile. She told him she loved him and wanted them to live together. The lady promised him that she would make him rich if he agreed. In an instant he blurted out a “Yes!” The chance of riches was something he could live with.
By the end of two weeks he began to experience phenomenal luck. He won the Lotto which jackpot was 60 million dollars. Each time he gambled he won. Pretty soon he had more money than he knew what to do with.
A few nights after his run of success he again saw the beautiful woman in a dream. This time she was sitting on the koker combing her long blond hair. She told him that he would join her the next day. Early the following morning Bruce went down to the koker which feeds the river. The spellbound man waded into the water until he was knee deep. He was being steadily drawn forward. Before long he was waist deep. Small fish began to nip at his legs. He jumped and seemed to come awake from a trance. He hurried back to shore with his clothes soaked. That was when the true significance of his situation hit him. He had gotten rich as promised but he would not be able to spend it. He strode boldly home.
Each night for the following week he had the same dream over and over. The gorgeous creature kept reminding him of his promise. It became impossible to sleep. Tormented by sleepless nights, he decided to give in. The next day he ran down to the koker and jumped in.
BRAPS!
It was low tide so he hit the mud hard. Embarrassed and in pain, he stormed back to his house. That was that! He would not be going back. The next night the same creature appeared in his dream. She begged, wooed, and threatened him in order to persuade him to keep his half of the bargain. With a silly rush of bravado he told her he would never come to her. He demanded that she leave him alone.
“So be it Bruce. You will die for your greed. The next time you set foot in water I will get you!”
The dreams suddenly stopped. This new development delighted Bruce. Things had worked out pretty well after all. He now had plenty of money and decided to marry Tracy. Remembering the threat issued by the “Water Spirit” he made up his mind never to go swimming again. And he never did.
One fateful moonlight night, Bruce got very drunk at a fete. After the dance, Bruce stumbled and staggered his way home falling twice. The last fall was fatal. Bruce fell into a shallow trench and drowned.

(By Neil Primus)