Freebie - We must talk about the sea

You can hardly talk about Ireland without discussing the importance of the Atlantic Ocean, the Irish Sea, and all the other waters that flow around and through the Emerald Isle. Putting aside the importance of these waters on the nourishment and financial benefits, today let's look at water creatures and their place in Irish myth and legends and how they are used as symbols. Of course, I've only created a few elements of these: the kelpie, seahorse, dolphin, salmon, and sea lion. The kelpie figures strongly in Scottish as well as Irish myth. A creature that lives in the rivers and lakes, it is generally considered malevolent. In some myths it can transform into a human (usually a beautiful woman) and lure people to their deaths. In others, it tempts humans, especially children, to ride on its back and drowns them. The seahorse is considered to have all the properties of water and is connected to the sea gods. Therefore it is connected to imagination, creativity, and luck. Also, because it has a strong tail which allows it to cling to seaweed and remain in place despite tides, it is a symbol of strength. The dolphin too has positive connotations. Since it is most commonly sighted when the weather is fine and seas are fair, sailors considered it lucky. Additionally, it is a symbol of friendship and intelligence. Many are the stories of dolphins acting in a protective manner towards humans. The salmon, besides being an excellent food source, figures in a myth called "The Salmon of Wisdom." You can read about it here:
http://www.bandonriver.com/story.html And then there is the myth of the selkie which I tried to represent by placing a human outline in the seal. Here is my explanation of the tale as told to me: The selkie is a creature native to the coasts of the British Isles who spends most of his or her life as a seal or sea lion. However, the selkie can choose to shed it's skin and take human form. It must hide its skin carefully for whoever finds it has power over the selkie and can keep it from returning to the sea. If a man finds the skin of a female selkie she must become his faithful but lonely wife. If she finds her skin, she will flee to the sea, even leaving her children behind. Male selkies cause storms and shipwrecks when seals are hunted.
My dear maternal grandfather used to tell Irish myths and fairytales to me and my cousins: I've forgotten more than I remember.

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xmntstroz0pv8oa/ws_TIW_11.zip?dl=0