There was a tavern in Brittany named "Le Baiser d'une Sirène," nestled near a sandy beach by the sea. It was a place where only a few regulars and lost travelers, like myself, would wander in. The tavern was a typical Breton house, constructed of stone and wood, yet it lacked the usual nets, sea stars, or any other seashells. Instead, its walls were adorned with drawings and paintings of mermaids and the boats they had "saved," both ancient and modern. The dark wood counter matched the rest of the room. I settled down and ordered a Chouchenn, a delightful blend of honey and cider, one of their specialties.
After a moment of hesitation, I mustered the courage to ask the question that had been burning on my lips: "Why is there a tavern in the middle of nowhere, and why call it 'a mermaid kiss'?"
The barman smiled warmly and replied, "Because it is a nice place to be. Just look at the view!" I turned my gaze outside, and as I took in the sight of the sea, the white sand beach surrounded by cliffs, the reflection of the sun on the waves, and inhaled the salty air, I began to understand. Yet, there was a peculiar smile lingering on his lips that piqued my curiosity.
"It's not the full story, is it?" I ventured.
"No, it isn't indeed," he responded, setting aside a dishcloth and leaning closer to the bar as if to share a secret. In a hushed voice, he continued, "I was saved by a mermaid on this very beach."
"You're kiddingl!" I urged, intrigued. The man was of average height, with strong arms, dressed in a navy and white striped marinière shirt, a sweater, and an apron. A casquette perched on his head covered part of his dark, curly hair. His face was expressive, marked by wrinkles, but his blue eyes sparkled with awe as he recounted his tale.
"Well, I was fishing in a small boat, and at that time, I didn't bother to check for weather changes—a rookie mistake. I was not far from the shore, in a secluded area surrounded by high cliffs. Caught up in my work, I failed to notice the dark sky approaching like a charging horse. Suddenly, the sea began to churn violently, tossing me left and right. The storm intensified, with waves as high as houses and winds as fierce as a dragon's breath. I even lost my hat! I clung to anything I could, but the boat tipped over, and I found myself in the sea. I could barely swim in such weather, and I went under for the first time. When I resurfaced, I was so panicked that I forgot how to swim and sank again. I was terrified, feeling my life slipping away, and went down once more, losing consciousness."
"When I woke up, I was on this very beach, miles from where I had been, with no idea how I got there or how long I had been unconscious. I felt a strange sensation, like a kiss on my lips. As my vision cleared, I swear I saw a mermaid plunge into the sea. She saved me and then vanished." His hands animatedly illustrated his story.
I found his tale strange yet captivating. After a moment, I ordered a Galette Complète, a buckwheat crepe filled with ham, cheese, and egg, along with a bowl of cider. Tentatively, I said, "I thought mermaids were evil creatures that lured sailors to their doom."
The barman chuckled, "No, sir. There are many different stories. Some tell of mermaids who help boats return safely to port. Their magical powers vary from tale to tale; most agree they can sing a mesmerizing song that calls men into the sea, and some stories suggest they have a similar or lesser effect on women."
His wife, who had been listening, smiled and added, "There are even tales where mermaids can choose the effect of their singing and can curse people they meet, even from a distance."
My mouth fell open in awe, and her husband laughed, "Darling, don't scare our guest; those stories are rare. We try to show him that mermaids can be kind." She was slender and moved with such grace that it seemed she glided. Her hair was black, with hints of green under certain lighting. Her high cheekbones and fine jawline contrasted with her husband's rugged features. Her dark blue eyes were intense and even more expressive than his.
She leaned closer to me and whispered, "Nice, but dangerous."
The barman continued to laugh, "Darling, really!"
He then said, "So, now you know the story of this tavern. I truly hope to see the mermaid again and thank her one day."
His wife raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you in love with her?"
"Maybe at first," he admitted, "but when I met you, I never thought of anyone else. I just want to thank the one who saved me."
"She certainly knows it; who wouldn't be glad to be saved? Mermaids are strange creatures; she may just want to stay hidden for her protection."
"Maybe, my dear, maybe. It's a shame, though. Talking to a mermaid, learning about their lives, seeing one clearly—that would be incredible."
"Yes, but some creatures prefer mystery and secrecy. After all, if you were to take a picture, she might be hunted afterward."
Their dialogue struck me as peculiar; he genuinely believed in his story of a mermaid, which I found fascinating. How could we, in this day and age, still believe such tales? I finished my lunch and thanked my hosts heartily.
"Thank you! The Chouchenn was delightful, and I haven't even mentioned the Galette. And the story was truly something else!" As I stood up, I accidentally knocked over a pitcher of water, which landed on her hips. She caught it, but most of the water spilled on her. I swear I saw scales glimmer beneath her delicate shirt! I looked at her in shock; her smile was predatory, her eyes piercing and intimidating, yet there was a sweetness behind them. She shook her head, and I understood.
Then, smiling, she said, "Good winds to you! Remember, mermaids are nice people until you cross them, and they are more powerful than you believe. Come back anytime you want!"
I turned for one last look, feeling a bit shaken, and asked her, "Do you think he will see his mermaid again?"
She gave me a genuine smile, the kind shared only by those who hold a secret, and winked, "Who knows? Mermaids are strange creatures!"
I swore I would never return, but curiosity is a powerful force, capable of killing more than mere cats. So, several years later, I found myself back at that beach. To my surprise, nothing remained of the tavern; it was as if it had never existed. I gazed at the sandy shore and smiled.
Lady, if you read this story, you'll see I did not give any names; my lips are sealed!
After a moment of hesitation, I mustered the courage to ask the question that had been burning on my lips: "Why is there a tavern in the middle of nowhere, and why call it 'a mermaid kiss'?"
The barman smiled warmly and replied, "Because it is a nice place to be. Just look at the view!" I turned my gaze outside, and as I took in the sight of the sea, the white sand beach surrounded by cliffs, the reflection of the sun on the waves, and inhaled the salty air, I began to understand. Yet, there was a peculiar smile lingering on his lips that piqued my curiosity.
"It's not the full story, is it?" I ventured.
"No, it isn't indeed," he responded, setting aside a dishcloth and leaning closer to the bar as if to share a secret. In a hushed voice, he continued, "I was saved by a mermaid on this very beach."
"You're kiddingl!" I urged, intrigued. The man was of average height, with strong arms, dressed in a navy and white striped marinière shirt, a sweater, and an apron. A casquette perched on his head covered part of his dark, curly hair. His face was expressive, marked by wrinkles, but his blue eyes sparkled with awe as he recounted his tale.
"Well, I was fishing in a small boat, and at that time, I didn't bother to check for weather changes—a rookie mistake. I was not far from the shore, in a secluded area surrounded by high cliffs. Caught up in my work, I failed to notice the dark sky approaching like a charging horse. Suddenly, the sea began to churn violently, tossing me left and right. The storm intensified, with waves as high as houses and winds as fierce as a dragon's breath. I even lost my hat! I clung to anything I could, but the boat tipped over, and I found myself in the sea. I could barely swim in such weather, and I went under for the first time. When I resurfaced, I was so panicked that I forgot how to swim and sank again. I was terrified, feeling my life slipping away, and went down once more, losing consciousness."
"When I woke up, I was on this very beach, miles from where I had been, with no idea how I got there or how long I had been unconscious. I felt a strange sensation, like a kiss on my lips. As my vision cleared, I swear I saw a mermaid plunge into the sea. She saved me and then vanished." His hands animatedly illustrated his story.
I found his tale strange yet captivating. After a moment, I ordered a Galette Complète, a buckwheat crepe filled with ham, cheese, and egg, along with a bowl of cider. Tentatively, I said, "I thought mermaids were evil creatures that lured sailors to their doom."
The barman chuckled, "No, sir. There are many different stories. Some tell of mermaids who help boats return safely to port. Their magical powers vary from tale to tale; most agree they can sing a mesmerizing song that calls men into the sea, and some stories suggest they have a similar or lesser effect on women."
His wife, who had been listening, smiled and added, "There are even tales where mermaids can choose the effect of their singing and can curse people they meet, even from a distance."
My mouth fell open in awe, and her husband laughed, "Darling, don't scare our guest; those stories are rare. We try to show him that mermaids can be kind." She was slender and moved with such grace that it seemed she glided. Her hair was black, with hints of green under certain lighting. Her high cheekbones and fine jawline contrasted with her husband's rugged features. Her dark blue eyes were intense and even more expressive than his.
She leaned closer to me and whispered, "Nice, but dangerous."
The barman continued to laugh, "Darling, really!"
He then said, "So, now you know the story of this tavern. I truly hope to see the mermaid again and thank her one day."
His wife raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you in love with her?"
"Maybe at first," he admitted, "but when I met you, I never thought of anyone else. I just want to thank the one who saved me."
"She certainly knows it; who wouldn't be glad to be saved? Mermaids are strange creatures; she may just want to stay hidden for her protection."
"Maybe, my dear, maybe. It's a shame, though. Talking to a mermaid, learning about their lives, seeing one clearly—that would be incredible."
"Yes, but some creatures prefer mystery and secrecy. After all, if you were to take a picture, she might be hunted afterward."
Their dialogue struck me as peculiar; he genuinely believed in his story of a mermaid, which I found fascinating. How could we, in this day and age, still believe such tales? I finished my lunch and thanked my hosts heartily.
"Thank you! The Chouchenn was delightful, and I haven't even mentioned the Galette. And the story was truly something else!" As I stood up, I accidentally knocked over a pitcher of water, which landed on her hips. She caught it, but most of the water spilled on her. I swear I saw scales glimmer beneath her delicate shirt! I looked at her in shock; her smile was predatory, her eyes piercing and intimidating, yet there was a sweetness behind them. She shook her head, and I understood.
Then, smiling, she said, "Good winds to you! Remember, mermaids are nice people until you cross them, and they are more powerful than you believe. Come back anytime you want!"
I turned for one last look, feeling a bit shaken, and asked her, "Do you think he will see his mermaid again?"
She gave me a genuine smile, the kind shared only by those who hold a secret, and winked, "Who knows? Mermaids are strange creatures!"
I swore I would never return, but curiosity is a powerful force, capable of killing more than mere cats. So, several years later, I found myself back at that beach. To my surprise, nothing remained of the tavern; it was as if it had never existed. I gazed at the sandy shore and smiled.
Lady, if you read this story, you'll see I did not give any names; my lips are sealed!