Once upon a time, in a quiet corner of a bright blue ocean, there lived a small, curious crab named Crimsy. Crimsy was not like the other crabs who preferred to hide under rocks and wait for food to drift by. Instead, Crimsy loved to explore. Every day, she scuttled around the sandy seabed, peeking into coral caves and chasing tiny bubbles that floated up to the surface.
One sunny morning, while searching for shiny seashells, Crimsy overheard two clownfish talking.
“There’s a hidden treasure in the Deep Blue Trench,” one said, flicking its fin nervously.
“They say it’s guarded by the Shadow Eel,” the other whispered.
Crimsy’s claws tingled with excitement. A treasure? That sounds like the adventure I’ve been waiting for! she thought. Without hesitation, she decided to go and find it.
The journey was long and full of challenges. First, Crimsy had to cross the bustling Coral City, where colourful fish darted around like busy townsfolk. As she hurried along, a group of starfish warned her, “Be careful, little crab! The Deep Blue Trench is dark and dangerous.”
But Crimsy only clicked her claws bravely and said, “I’ll be fine. I want to see the world and find that treasure!”
Soon, she reached a wide stretch of open water, where there were no coral or rocks to hide under. Suddenly, a shadow loomed above. It was a hungry seagull diving down! Crimsy quickly buried herself in the sand, staying perfectly still. The seagull circled a few times, then flew away, disappointed. Crimsy let out a relieved sigh and continued on her way.
After hours of scuttling and swimming, she finally reached the Deep Blue Trench. It was darker and colder than anywhere she had ever been. Strange glowing jellyfish floated around, casting an eerie light. Crimsy’s heart raced, but she didn’t turn back.
Deep inside the trench, she spotted something glittering, a golden shell! But just as she was about to grab it, a long, slippery shape slithered out from the shadows. The Shadow Eel! Its eyes gleamed, and it hissed, “Who dares to take my treasure?”
Crimsy trembled, but she remembered her dream of adventure. “I’m Crimsy, and I came to explore! I don’t want to fight, but I will be brave.”
The eel was surprised by her courage. “Bravery is rare in these waters,” it said thoughtfully. “If you can solve my riddle, I’ll let you take the treasure.”
The eel asked, “I have no legs, but I can run. I have no bed, but I sleep in one. What am I?”
Crimsy thought hard. She remembered the rushing water she had crossed earlier and smiled. “A river!” she answered.
The eel let out a deep laugh. “Correct! The treasure is yours.”
Crimsy picked up the golden shell, her claws shining with pride. She scuttled back home, where all the other sea creatures gathered to hear her tale. From that day on, Crimsy wasn’t just a small crab, she was a hero, proof that even the tiniest creature can have the biggest adventures.
By Christina K Sangma