long, long time, lived in the bottom of the sea of \u200b\u200bJapan a mermaid named Amara, the wife of the genius of the sea. Amara used to surface waters and there lie down on a rock from which you could contemplate the city, far away. He especially loved to do this at night when the lights of the city almost eclipsed the stars of heaven. I envied people of the city that were always the light that was not in the bottom of the sea, and also could feel in their faces the wind, sun, snow ... things that she had vetoed. He decided that if she had a daughter, does not deprive it of those feelings that she had lost.
short time later, this thought became a reality, and the siren Amara was the mother of a beautiful little creature. And with great pain in his heart, but feeling satisfied at the same time provide the opportunity for his daughter, moved to a mountain that was near of the city, where stood a temple. And there he left, on the steps of the temple, kissing one of those kisses that are only mermaids and magical beings that create an aura of protection.
Down in the village, there lived a couple who dedicated his life to making candles which then lead pilgrims to the temple. As his small business was going well, decided to go themselves to the temple that day to thank their god had given property. So they took two candles and went to the temple, where they made their offering.
Around the corner, what was his surprise when down the stairs, thought they heard a weak cry. Tracing the origin of sound, soon found the little newborn, and moved by compassion and responsibility, collected. When I removed the blanket that wrapped discovered amazed that it was not like other girls: the lower half of his body was like the tail of a fish, covered with shiny scales, it was a siren. So they called Umiker, which means "the daughter of the sea."
Time passed, the girl grew up to become a woman of extraordinary beauty. Her skin was soft as peach, smooth, and his eyes give off a unique glow reminiscent of emeralds. Her long hair seemed to be a friend of the wind, both of fiddling constantly, and finally, woke Umiker passions among all who watched. She, humble, she felt uncomfortable about the effect that had on the other, so he asked his adoptive parents to be who makes candles that they sell, because it would have no contact with others than is strictly necessary. And so she went to take on this task, adding further to the candles made beautiful drawings of birds and flowers and especially seascapes that somehow it came to mind. The number of buyers increased steadily and also spread the rumor that those candles were effective talismans if you wanted to take a boat trip.
One day he appeared at the store a merchant who asked to see the creator of the candles bought. Seeing Umiker thought it would be a big deal to expose the public and wanted to buy the marriage. At first they were outraged, but it was the insistence of the merchant who eventually sold it for a large sum of money. When he learned Umiker begged them to change their minds, but nothing served their cries, the deal was closed.
At night he thought he heard a voice calling her, as if the sea repeat his name, but saw nothing. He spent the night painting the last candle. The next morning had a modified car with bars to take it to the port, which would take a boat that took them to the mainland. Left, and the house was uneasy marriage, feeling that they had done wrong and now a danger looming over them.
knocked on the door opened and a woman appeared dressed in white wanted to buy a candle. Giving a choice, she chose precisely that last candle Umiker had painted the night before. Giving them a last look, I can not say whether angry or contemptuous, paid and went to the temple, which left the candle burning staircase.
The candle light shone unusually strong, unusually alive. Then, a terrible storm began lashing the coast. The boat they were traveling merchant Umiker and tried in vain to return to port, but a huge wave crashed into the seabed. While the ship was sinking, the last image seen by the merchant, who thought he was delirious by the proximity of death, was that of a woman in white, fish tail, which was carried Umiker hand. Amara was rescuing her daughter.
After the storm, the town was wiped off the map, resisting only the temple and its stairway. And not long ago is still sold in some Japanese towns painted candles to remember much to paint Umiker, the daughter of the sea, the sailors were going on before starting each journey ...
(traditional Japanese Legend)
