CLEVER HERMIT
– An Animal Fable –
Once, it could have been near your favorite beach or mine, long ago or yesterday, a large Turban Shell moved slowly across the wet, black rocks. Spotty Terrier cocked his head at this puzzling sight. Perhaps it was a toy of some kind? With his mind on fun (as usual) he ran over to play with the shell. He sniffed it – snapped it, and rolled it over with his paw.
“Go Away!” said a muffled voice inside the shell. “There’s somebody in there?!” backed Spotty in surprise “Come out and play.”
Just then a shadow passed over shell and dog, it was Gull Greedy, a hungry seagull smartly dressed in a grey and white suit and shiny red boots. He pecked at the shell. Gull Greedy wasn’t playing games – he had lunch in mind.
“Go away!” repeated Voice-in-Shell impatiently, but to no avail – Spotty Terrier ran around and around the shell yapping in excitement, and Gull Greedy pecked at its spirals looking for the door.
Old Red Hermit Crab, for that is who is was inside the shell, set off as quickly as he could (which wasn’t very quickly at all) towards the edge of the rocks where sea met land. Spotty and Greedy followed.
When Old Red was very close indeed to the water’s edge, he popped a stalk eye out to see if, as he thought, his tormenters were too intent upon their mischief to notice a large wave approach. And there were. The wall of green water loomed up, gathering speed and strength, its white crest formed with laughter as it leapt upon the hapless dog and gull. They were rolled over and over and over and ov… Of course Old Red Hermit had found a safe hole in the rocks in which to hide.
“Ah, a refreshing shower, just the thing to cool one down on a hot day.” he smiled happily to himself in his rock crevice.
Spotty and Gull Greedy scurried away to higher ground, wet, sore and miserable.
“I’ll go home and play with my ball instead.” Moaned Spotty Terrier.
“I’ll have to visit the wharf for my supper.” Groaned Gull Greedy.
“I’ll have a little snooze while I’m here.” said Old Red Hermit Crab as he lightly closed his large nipper doors “zzzzzzzzz.”
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