“Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” - C.S. Lewis For generations, deceptively simple fables have cut to the heart of the human condition, exposing our deepest desires, dreams, and anxieties. My original fable, “Catching Naomi’s Daughter,” might feature a talking ocean and several tail-less mermaids: but it also navigates the stormy waters of a mother-daughter relationship, asking essential questions about loving, grieving, and letting go. “Catching Naomi’s Daughter” follows Naomi, a mother who loses her child to the sea. Instead of succumbing to her grief, however, Naomi stubbornly demands that the ocean return her daughter. The ocean agrees, but on one condition: Naomi’s daughter must leave willingly. Naomi accepts the terms of the deal, and her daughter is restored to her. Soon, though, we discover the truth: Naomi’s daughter was not stolen by the sea—she ran away from home, choosing the ocean over Naomi’s stifling protectiveness. When she refuses to follow her mother, the deal is broken, and Naomi’s daughter dissolves into bubbles. The story combines a modern setting with otherworldly plot, drawing from a long and complex tradition of Hispanic magical realism, in which unspoken trauma is explored through fantasy. With that history in mind, the reading pairs lyrical prose with evocative images and soundscapes, transporting the audience to Naomi’s world. This encourages listeners to not only sympathize with Naomi, but to approach the piece with a child-like wonder, questioning their own ideas about family and loss. Image Credit: Shutterstock