The Iceberg Express

"The Iceberg Express" by David Cory is a whimsical tale that follows the adventures of a young girl named Mary Louise. The story begins with Mary Louise exploring the beach near her summer home when she encounters a mermaid who offers to comb her hair with a magic comb. This transforms Mary Louise into a mermaid, and she embarks on an underwater journey. She boards the Iceberg Express, a train made of icebergs, which takes her on a thrilling ride through the ocean's depths. Along the way, she meets a variety of sea creatures, including a polar bear porter and a starfish passenger. The narrative unfolds as Mary Louise visits the Coral Palace, where she meets King Seaphus and his daughter, the Mermaid Princess. The King invites her to stay, and she experiences the wonders of the underwater kingdom. However, an accident on the Iceberg Express prompts Mary Louise and the Mermaid Princess to embark on a new adventure to the Caribbean Sea. Their journey is filled with unexpected events, including a shipwreck and encounters with mythical creatures. Throughout her travels, Mary Louise learns about the ocean's mysteries and the lives of its inhabitants. She also discovers her own courage and resourcefulness. The story concludes with Mary Louise returning to the surface, enriched by her experiences and the friendships she has made beneath the waves.