The Boy and the Hermit Crab

On the first day of his holiday, Leo stands on the beach in his red bucket hat, a small canvas satchel over his shoulder, and spots a hermit crab moving sideways over the wet sand. He crouches to watch as the creature tries one empty shell and then another, leaving the ones that are too small and wrestling with those that are too big. Keeping a respectful distance, Leo follows the crab and wonders how it will ever find a shell that fits.

When Leo tells his parents what he has seen, they explain that hermit crabs need the right shell for safety and a clean beach in which to find it. Looking around, Leo notices bottles and wrappers on the sand and asks if the family can tidy the shore. Soon the three of them walk the beach with gloves and bags, careful not to disturb the small creatures living there. Written by Aysel Banu YAVUZAL, this gentle tale about kindness and teamwork can be read on Masal İzle.