Shimmering sparkles surf the waves as they gently roll to shore.

Laughing, dancing, nimble footed selkies play on the moonlit beach.

The waves beckon; “Remember, don your sleek pelts and return before sunrise or be lost forever!”

Barking, swimming, nimble flippered seals play in the ocean.

The silver sands beckon.

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I entered this short 50 word essay in to a competition. It wasn’t placed.

Celtic folklore tells of seals who come ashore on the full moon to dance on the beaches. They remove their pelts and place them carefully on the rocks. They then turn into beautiful women known as Selkies. They dance all night until just before the the sun rises, when they must put their pelts back on and return to the sea. Those who don’t return in time remain on land and are doomed to live as women for the rest of their lives or until they find their long lost pelts, when they can once again return to the sea as seals.

I found it quite challenging to put this folklore into 50 words! Enjoy.