“Look! I found a crab!” shouted Harold Hippo. “Hannah, look!”
Hannah frowned. “Harold, we don’t want to see your crab. We’re making sand ponds.”
“But look at his awesome shell!” Harold said, holding Crabby up.
“Eek! Get that nasty crab away from me!”
“He’s not nasty,” said Harold. “He’s a good crab.”
“Well, you’re not a good-boy hippo! Go away!” Hannah snapped.
Harold’s smile faded. He looked down and turned to walk away.
“Harold is crying,” Harley whispered to Hannah.
Hannah peeked at Harold and felt her heart soften. “I don’t want anyone to cry.”
She walked over to him. “I’m sorry, Harold. Don’t be sad. Come play in our sand ponds. Crabby can go here. He’ll be safe.”
Just then, she saw something colorful bounce past. “A beach ball! Let’s get it!”
All the happy hippos chased the ball down the beach, laughing and running.
When they came back, Harold smiled. “That was fun! Let’s see if Crabby wants to run with us.” He looked around. “What? Where’s Crabby? He’s gone!”
“No!” cried Hannah. She dug through the sand. “He was just here!”
“It’s okay,” said Harold. “I won’t be sad or crabby. It’s hard to feel bad when your friends are nice to you.”
“You were kind to share Crabby,” said Hannah.
“That’s because I’m not a shell-fish hippo!” Harold said with a wink.
Bible Verse:
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” — Jesus, Matthew 7:12 (NIV)
Julie Hagel