"...I don't wanna be a mermaid."

"What's wrong with mermaids?"

"One, they're evil, two, they're weird."

"Weird how?"

"They have pointy teeth and grey skin and their fingers and toes are all together."

"But that's awesome!"

"No it's weird, I like my skin and teeth and toes."

"But being mer is much more fun than being human."

"Does everyone on this island only want to do things that are fun?"

"Not-fun is for grownups. And what's so good about being human?"

"Well I want to be a grownup, being a kid is boring. And I dunno what's good about being human, just not grey and pointy and I don't wanna be grey and pointy."

"How is being a kid with powers boring? And mer get to swim all day, don't have to go to school, and don't have to wear pants if they don't want. It's not as fun as being a Miracle, but it's way better than human."

"Because being smart is better than being powerful, and I'm less smart than I'll be when I grow up so I wanna grow up already and be smart. And anyway you don't have to wear pants here apparently and I can't swim."

"You could if you were mer."

"Yeah but I don't care about swimming, I prefer flying."

"And lots and lots of Miracles can fly. And swimming is awesome!"

"I'm still gonna wait for Zaneta."

"She'll say we shouldn't be hasty. She always says that." 

"She's right."

"Why? We know it works!"

"Because I'm eight and I shouldn't make permanent decisions while I'm eight, I'm not smart enough."

"Well, you only have four years to decide, maybe less."

"Then I'll see what an adult has to say about it."

"They'll say don't be hasty." He sounds bitter.

"They're probably right."