Caleuche

There is a wonderful ship that sails the sea. When the fog is soft and gray, the ship starts to glow. It glows with warm, friendly lights. Bright lights shine all around. The ship plays happy music. Tap, tap, tap go the happy sounds. People on the shore can see the lights. They can hear the music. They whisper its name with a smile. It is the magical ghost ship, the Caleuche.

The Caleuche is not a spooky ship at all. It is a party ship. A party on the big, blue waves. Bright lanterns swing and sway. Happy music fills the air. The ship has a special trick. It can go under the water. Splash. It sails down, down, down. It says hello to the little fish. It says hello to the big whales. The Caleuche is a guardian of the sea. If a sailor is lost, the ship shines its lights. The lights show the way home. The Caleuche helps everyone stay safe.

For a long, long time, people in a place called Chile have told stories about the ship. They tell stories about the Caleuche. When fishermen see a light on the water, they do not feel scared. No, they feel wonder. Wow. They see the pretty lights. They tell their children about the magical ship. "The Caleuche is watching over the ocean," they say. "It keeps the ocean safe." The story of the ship is a happy story. It reminds everyone that the sea is full of magic. The sea is full of amazing secrets. It helps us dream of glowing ships that dance on the waves. The ships dance and sing with the wind. And maybe, if you look at the water on a foggy night, you might see the lights, too. You might see the Caleuche.