The people who frequent Tumblr do many things well, but really, they all center around their ability to take a post – any post – and run with it in unexpected and thoughtful (and funny) ways.
I’ve never seen a Tumblr thread write a story before, but it doesn’t surprise me that it’s happened…or that it’s really quite good.
It all begins with a group of pirates who kill a mermaid for her treasure…only to find out that her treasure is a baby mermaid.
![](https://humansoftumblr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/open-chest-finds-sleepy-baby-mermaid-within-monster-mermaid-using-treasure-chest-as-cradle-pirates.jpg)
Image Credit: Tumblr
They can’t kill it, so they adopt it, and grow to love her.
![](https://humansoftumblr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/sometimes-splashes-them-fun-with-her-smooth-rubbery-brown-tail-even-they-get-soaked-they-laugh-they.jpg)
Image Credit: Tumblr
She protects the ship, and when they tell her how they ended up adopting her, she accepts their story.
![](https://humansoftumblr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/says-why-am-really-here-she-asks-first-mate-watching-sun-set-over-water-streaks-liauid-metal-pooled.jpeg)
Image Credit: Tumblr
In time, she learns the truth, and she forgives them.
![](https://humansoftumblr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/large-come-on-board-ship-without-being-hauled-up-boat-water-she-sings-storms-come-and-swims-before.jpeg)
Image Credit: Tumblr
She fends off storms and beasts.
![](https://humansoftumblr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/them-say-longer-than-boat-and-crushed-its-coils-first-mate-hears-this-and-has-hide-her-lauahter.jpeg)
Image Credit: Tumblr
She leads them into battle.
![](https://humansoftumblr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/quickly-they-lower-boat-and-she-piles-her-sinous-form-into-and-uses-her-claws-beln-ore-wnull-her.jpeg)
Image Credit: Tumblr
She becomes a figurehead, again and again.
![](https://humansoftumblr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/salt-air-and-sings-storm-carries-her-voice-on-its-front-royal-navy-they-are-enchanted-so-stunned-by.jpeg)
Image Credit: Tumblr
Until the seas fear her father’s ship.
![](https://humansoftumblr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/water-coil-on-deck-and-dispatch-enemies-with-ruthless-efficiency-her-familv-is-feared-across-all.jpeg)
Image Credit: Tumblr
And then, it’s over. Her parents are old; dying.
![](https://humansoftumblr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/and-reached-up-pull-ship-down-just-bit-just-hold-them-one-last-time-guard-ship-captain-says-always.jpeg)
Image Credit: Tumblr
They say goodbye, and ask her to take care of the ship.
![](https://humansoftumblr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/fearless-things-she-can-afford-disregard-she-fears-and-loves-ocean-as-all-captains-do-she-does-not.jpeg)
Image Credit: Tumblr
She agrees…and a new captain arrives.
![](https://humansoftumblr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/scales-new-captain-says-grinning-right-back-at-monster-who-could-eat-her-without-moments-hesitation.jpeg)
Image Credit: Tumblr
Who doesn’t understand, not really.
![](https://humansoftumblr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/fully-this-time-her-dark-eyes-gleaming-under-white-linen-sail-they-didnt-know-any-better-yooo00.jpeg)
Image Credit: Tumblr
Not until it’s too late.
I love this story, and the take on pirates and mermaids!
How about you? What would you add? Wouldn’t it be fun to keep going?