Quickly, Ariel found her sisters and explained the situation. “Tomorrow we must celebrate Adella’s birthday all over again. It has to be exactly the same!” Next, she sent word throughout the kingdom: “Tomorrow will be Princess Adella’s birthday for the second time in a row! Hang the wave chimes and banners!”

Then, Ariel turned back the hands of the kingdom clock. The old grandfather clock had tumbled from a ship long ago, but it still kept perfect time. For good measure, Ariel flipped over a giant hourglass that would measure a whole day.

“There,” she said. “Everything is set one day back. When I wake up in the morning, it will be Adella’s birthday again.”

Ariel swam to the grotto. The cave was cozy, with a snug moss bed, and a lanternfish was casting a soft glow. Still, Ariel felt lonely. And the grotto was so different from her bedroom. In fact…it felt a little spooky.

Strange shadows danced against the wall. Then she heard an eerie squeaking noise. Maybe she should find somewhere else to sleep…maybe even in her old bed in the castle. She could sneak away before Adella woke up.

Splash! Ariel sat up.

What was that noise? She heard something swimming toward her. No…more than one something. She could make out shapes now. Whatever they were, they were coming closer and closer.

“Ariel,” one of them said.

It was Sebastian and Flounder! Ariel slumped back on the moss.

“We came to keep you company,” Flounder told her.

“We thought you might be scared,” Sebastian added.

“You were absolutely right!” Ariel said.

Even with her friends nearby, Ariel didn’t sleep that well. She was worried. Would everything go as planned? Would Adella really think it was her birthday?

Should she lure the shark back? Or would she be putting everyone in danger?

At last, the first rays of sun lit the water.

Ariel waited until the sun rose higher. Soon it was midmorning. That’s the time I swam down, she thought.

“Sebastian and Flounder!” she called. “Let’s go!”

The three friends swam past merhomes. Sparkling wave chimes were blowing in the current, the same as yesterday. Fresh banners hung across rocks and ledges, with HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ADELLA! written in bold letters.

Sea horses trumpeted, “It’s Adella’s birthday! Happy birthday, Princess Adella!”

“Princess Ariel! Hello!” people called. Everyone sounded surprised and pleased to see her. It felt like yesterday all over again.

They were all trying so hard!

When Ariel arrived at the palace, her sisters gathered around, just as they had before. “We’re really excited!” Adella whispered. “We get to do this twice.”

Everyone giggled. Ariel was glad they wanted to help. But this wasn’t a game.

Ariel turned to Adella. A lovely coral necklace hung from her neck. “You’re wearing the present from Father,” she whispered. “He didn’t give it to you until lunchtime.” Ariel thought a moment. “Yesterday you wore a shell necklace!”

“Can’t I just keep it on?” Adella pleaded. “It’s such a small thing, really.”

Ariel sighed. She hated to disappoint Adella. But she wanted everything to be as perfect as possible.

Adella looked at Ariel’s face. “I’m sorry, Ariel! Of course I’ll change it!” She whirled away. When she came back, she was wearing her simple shell necklace.

“Now, your list!” Ariel whispered.

Adella looked around. “Uh-oh,” she said. “Where is it?” She nudged Andrina, who nudged Arista, who nudged Attina.

Attina nudged Aquata, and Aquata nudged Alana.

“Must I do everything?” Sebastian hurried over with the scroll. Then he saw Ariel looking at him sadly. He wanted her to be happy. “Of course, Ariel, I will do this for you. I will try my hardest to keep everything in order.”

A few minutes later, some merchildren arrived with a bouquet of sea lavender.

“Oh, it’s lovely!” said Adella. She buried her nose in the flowers.

Ariel got a funny feeling. Something seemed off. The flowers were supposed to be water lilies! The sea lavender came in the afternoon!

“Take it away!” she whispered to the children.

The merchildren scurried off.

Adella smiled sheepishly.

Seconds later, the children returned with water lilies. “Oh, how nice!” Adella said.

Ariel smiled at her sister.

Next, Sebastian read over the schedule. Then Ariel went to the sisters’ bedroom. She had relaxed here for a bit before the festivities began. But now she could only pace back and forth. Let’s see…what had she done yesterday?

She straightened her moss blanket. She combed her hair. She went through some old books she kept in a drawer. This time, she came across a favorite fairy tale.

“Oh!” she said. “The Princess and the Puffer Fish!”

She began to read.

A while later, she closed the cover and stretched.

All at once, she jumped up! She’d been so caught up in the story that she’d completely lost track of time.

She rushed to the dining hall.

“Five minutes late, as usual,” her father said with a frown.

Then Sebastian frowned. He tried so hard to keep everyone on schedule.

Ariel grinned.

It was perfectly fine. She’d been a little late for lunch on Adella’s birthday, too!