Mindfulness for Teachers

1. Embracing True Nature and Unavoidable Change

There is no cure for being who you truly are.

Accepting inherent identity. Maren's transformation into a mermaid is not an illness to be cured, but the unfolding of her true nature, hinted at since infancy by her love of water and salt. Auntie Verity, with her part-faerie wisdom, understands this deeply, guiding Clara and Maren to accept the inevitable changes. This contrasts with human desires to control or reverse what is fundamentally part of one's being.

Transformation's physical toll. Maren's change is physically painful and isolating, leading to webbed fingers, scales, fused legs forming a tail, and a fading voice. She becomes increasingly dependent on water, eventually living in a tub. Despite the physical hardship, Maren finds joy and peace in her mermaid identity, longing for the sea, her true home.

Clara's struggle with acceptance. Clara initially views Maren's change with dread and seeks a cure, wishing things could remain as they were. Witnessing Maren's growing happiness as a mermaid forces Clara to confront her own resistance and learn that true love means supporting her sister's authentic self, even if it means separation. This journey is as much about Clara's acceptance as Maren's transformation.

2. The Enduring Strength of Found Family Bonds

Your lives are wonders, my girls. They will be wonders from start to finish.

Unconditional love and support. Auntie Verity provides a loving, stable home for Clara and Maren, two foundlings brought to her by magical means (a seashell and a stork). Her acceptance of their unique natures and her unwavering love form the bedrock of their lives. She teaches them about their origins and the magic inherent in their existence.

Extended family connections. The arrival of Scarff and O'Neill, the traveling merchants, brings further warmth and connection. Scarff, Auntie's secret husband bound by a hex, and O'Neill, the boy found under an apple tree, are integral to the girls' lives. Their visits are eagerly anticipated, bringing joy, stories, and a sense of belonging that transcends conventional family structures.

Mutual care and loyalty. This found family unit relies on mutual care and loyalty. Auntie uses her healing skills, Scarff provides goods and stories, O'Neill offers friendship and protection, and the girls contribute to the household and support each other. Their bonds are tested by separation, transformation, and external threats, but their love and commitment to one another remain steadfast.

3. Wishing Alone Yields No Results; Action Is Required

Wishing gets you nothing.

The futility of passive desire. This phrase, carved into a tree by the Wishing Pool, serves as a recurring reminder that passive wishing is ineffective. Clara often finds herself wishing for things to be different – for Maren to stay human, for O'Neill to return, for escape – but these desires alone do not change reality. The narrative contrasts wishing with concrete action.

Clara's internal conflict. Clara struggles between her inclination to worry and wish, and the necessity of taking action. Her journey forces her to move beyond passive hope to actively participate in Maren's fate, planning the journey to the sea and confronting obstacles. This shift from wishing to doing is crucial for her growth and agency.

Action, even imperfect, is necessary. While wishing is portrayed as useless, action, even when flawed or uncertain, is presented as the only path forward. Clara's attempts to help Maren, O'Neill's efforts to find a cure, and their eventual escape plan, though fraught with peril and mistakes, are the only means by which they can influence their circumstances.

4. The Deceptive Allure of False Promises and Dark Magic

Dr. George Wilhelm Hieronymus Lewis Balthazar Phipps, possess the miracle you have been longing for.

The charlatan's facade. Dr. Phipps, the charismatic medicine show proprietor, embodies deception. He sells ineffective "miracle cures" to desperate people, preying on their hopes and vulnerabilities. His theatrical speeches and grand pronouncements mask a cruel and manipulative nature, highlighting the danger of trusting appearances and easy solutions.

Magic as a tool of control. Phipps and his family use magic not for healing or wonder, but for control and profit. Soraya's "Beloved Bondage" tea creates addiction, enslaving performers to the show. Jasper's protective tattoo is revealed to be a mark of his own victims, showcasing a darker, more violent side to their operations than initially perceived.

The cost of entrapment. Those who fall prey to Phipps's deceptions and magic lose their freedom and agency. Performers are bound by addiction, Maren is imprisoned as a spectacle, and Clara and O'Neill become unwilling participants in their show. The narrative starkly contrasts the natural, inherent magic of Clara and Maren's origins with the manipulative, enslaving magic of the Phipps family.

5. Loss, Grief, and the Pain of Letting Go

How will I live without my sister?

Anticipatory grief. Clara experiences profound grief as she witnesses Maren's transformation, mourning the loss of the sister she knew and the future they planned together. This anticipatory grief is painful, marked by tears that fall without becoming pearls, symbolizing her purely human sorrow. The physical changes in Maren serve as constant reminders of the impending separation.

Separation and longing. The journey to the sea is driven by the necessity of Maren's survival, but it is also a journey towards inevitable separation. Clara must prepare to let Maren go to her true home, a place Clara cannot follow. This letting go is portrayed as a deep, aching loss, questioning how life can continue without the person who has been a constant presence and source of joy.

The pain of unfulfilled futures. The dreams Clara and Maren shared of growing old together, living side-by-side, and raising families are shattered by Maren's destiny. The narrative touches upon the sadness of unkept promises and the reshaping of expectations when fate intervenes, emphasizing the bittersweet nature of Maren's transformation into something beautiful but distant.

6. Hope Persists Even in the Face of Despair

Remember what Auntie always says? We must let hope carry us when our hearts’ legs fail us.

O'Neill's unwavering optimism. O'Neill serves as a beacon of hope, particularly for Clara. Despite setbacks, dangers, and the grim reality of Maren's condition, he maintains a belief that they can find a solution, rescue Maren, and overcome obstacles. His optimism, though sometimes naive, provides crucial emotional support and motivation.

Finding hope in small things. Even when enslaved by Phipps, moments of hope emerge. The discovery that the Beloved Bondage tea is not truly addictive, the unexpected appearance of Osbert and Pilsner, and the acquisition of the healing dagger offer glimmers of possibility. These small victories and signs of external aid fuel the characters' resolve.

Hope as a necessary tool for survival. In a world filled with magic, deception, and danger, hope is not just an emotion but a necessary tool for survival. It enables the characters to continue planning, to trust in the possibility of escape, and to believe that a better future, or at least a safe outcome for Maren, is still attainable, even when logic suggests otherwise.

7. Obsession's Destructive Power and Unrequited Love

He is mermaid-stricken, poor fellow.

Simon's tragic obsession. Simon Shumsky's simple, devoted love for Maren turns into a dangerous obsession after he witnesses her mermaid form. Unable to reconcile what he saw with his desire for her, he follows the caravan, his mind warped by the encounter. His pursuit ends tragically, highlighting how unrequited love and inability to accept reality can lead to destruction.

Jasper's possessive desire. Jasper Phipps develops a possessive fascination with Clara, fueled by her resistance and perceived innocence. His desire is intertwined with his own trauma and enslavement, leading him to view Clara as a prize to be won and controlled. His actions become increasingly threatening, culminating in violence when he feels rejected or challenged.

The contrast with true love. The destructive obsessions of Simon and Jasper stand in stark contrast to the true, selfless love shared within the found family. While Simon's love for Maren leads him to stalk and potentially harm her, and Jasper's desire for Clara leads to violence, the love between Clara, Maren, O'Neill, Auntie, and Scarff is based on acceptance, support, and a willingness to sacrifice for each other's well-being.

8. Unexpected Allies Appear in Times of Need

Our faithful wyvern guardian angel.

Magical creatures as protectors. The narrative features several non-human characters who provide crucial aid. Osbert, the pet wyvern, acts as a loyal guardian, warning of danger, providing comfort, and ultimately intervening violently to save Clara and O'Neill. Pilsner, the raven, delivers messages and offers companionship. Zedekiah, the horse, carries gifts and provides transportation.

Gifts with hidden power. Ordinary-seeming objects bestowed by these allies or other magical sources reveal unexpected power. The dagger Osbert brings is a healing blade capable of mending what it cuts. The eye-stone, though used for tracking by the Phippses, is a magical artifact. These items, often given without full explanation, become vital tools for survival and escape.

Interconnectedness of the magical world. The presence of these allies and magical objects suggests a wider, interconnected magical world that sometimes intervenes in human affairs. The wyverns, the elven shoemakers, the gypsy magic, and the origins of Maren and Clara all point to forces beyond the ordinary, offering both peril and unexpected assistance.

9. The Journey to Destiny and Self-Discovery

This story is not yet finished.

The physical journey as a metaphor. The journey from Llanfair Mountain to the ocean is not merely a physical relocation but a metaphorical path towards Maren's destiny and Clara's self-discovery. Each stop, each encounter, and each challenge along the way shapes the characters and moves the plot towards its inevitable conclusion.

Clara's evolving courage. As the journey progresses, Clara moves from fear and passive wishing to active courage and determination. She takes on responsibilities, confronts dangers, and makes difficult choices. The trials of the road, particularly the entrapment by Phipps, force her to tap into inner strength she didn't know she possessed.

Redefining purpose and identity. For Maren, the journey is about reaching her true home and fully embracing her mermaid identity. For Clara, it's about finding her purpose beyond being Maren's sister and accepting her own uncertain future, including the possibility of her own transformation. The journey is a crucible that refines their understanding of themselves and their place in the world.

10. Confronting Evil and Finding Unexpected Endings

The show is over, son!

The climax of confrontation. The narrative builds to a violent confrontation with the Phipps family, revealing the full extent of their depravity and the consequences of their dark magic. Dr. Phipps's madness, Soraya's complicity, and Jasper's violence erupt, leading to destruction and death. This chaotic climax forces Clara and O'Neill to act decisively.

The healing blade's power. In the midst of the violence, Clara uses the healing dagger, not to harm, but to mend O'Neill's gunshot wound. This act highlights the contrast between the destructive magic of the Phippses and the restorative power of other magical elements, and Clara's choice to use power for healing rather than vengeance.

Ambiguous but hopeful resolution. The ending is not a simple happily-ever-after. The Phippses meet violent ends, Maren is freed but still dying, O'Neill is wounded, and Clara's own fate remains uncertain. However, Maren is placed in the river, given a chance to reach the sea, and Clara and O'Neill, though injured and adrift, are together, having survived the immediate threat. The story concludes with the possibility of Maren reaching her home and Clara and O'Neill facing their future, whatever it may hold, together.

Last updated: June 30, 2025