A sunny wave slapped the smooth rocks. In the wet sand, Bramble saw a little crab beside an empty shell-shaped mark.
"My shell is missing!" clicked the crab. Bramble knelt by the salty pool and listened to the hiss and splash.
Bramble lifted one smooth rock, then another. The crab scooted into each little gap and pointed with its claw.
Tiny fish flashed like silver arrows. But the shell was not there. Bramble brushed dripping seaweed off a paw. "Let's keep looking," said Bramble.
Bramble parted long green seaweed strands. A round shell peeked out at last.
Then pop! A hermit crab stuck out from inside the shell like a silly hat. Bramble blinked in surprise.
Plop! The hermit crab splashed back into the pool. The little crab froze. Then Bramble gave a small smile.
A line of bubbles drifted away. Bramble followed them to a deeper tide pool between slippery rocks.
The crab waited close and watched. Under the water, a hidden shell shone between two rocks.
Very carefully, Bramble reached in and lifted out the shell.
Just then, a foamy wave rushed in. The crab clacked its claws fast on the stone.
Bramble carried the shell to a warm dry rock and set it gently into the crab's waiting claws.
