The Merlion sat before the Council of the Merlions (among whom was his father, who’d pioneered the idea to keep the Merlions within the lagoon) and told them about his life.
He told of his upbringing in the zoo and of his job guarding the island and protecting ships from all dangers. In particular he spoke of his freedom of movement around Singapore’s waters in the hope of rekindling memories of the ocean.
Distant looks of longing began to appear in the councillors’ eyes until the Merlion was asked why he had returned and he told them of the sadness that had come upon him and the hair growth and how the zookeeper had given them the map home. However, the Merlion took hold of his moment and said he sensed a similar sadness in the lagoon and suggested they might enjoy a better life in Singapore.
This made the councillors angry and they asked how, as an outsider, he could dare to question what he knew nothing about and reminded the Merlion that remaining alone on Singapore had led him into deep depression. “There is no such affliction here,” they told him, “Clearly it is better you stay here.”
They sent the Merlion back to his cage vowing to teach him the ways of the Merlions and to never let him leave. On the way back the Merlion finally took in his surroundings and had to admit that his kind would be mad to leave such a beautiful place.
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