Waylon is a small superhero. He is brave, but he can be a little shy. Today he walks to the Beach. The sand is warm. The waves say, “Shhh… shhh…”
Waylon wears his cape. He whispers, “Superhero ready.”
On the sand sit three friends.
Book is a big, friendly Book. Book talks in a soft voice. “Hello, Waylon. I know many clues.”
Toy is a little Toy crab that clicks and giggles. “Let’s play! Let’s zoom!”
Hat is a sunny yellow Hat with a ribbon. Hat is proud and a bit bossy. “Everyone needs shade. Follow me!”
Waylon looks down. “Uh-oh. My shiny seashell is gone.”
It is his special shell badge. He loves it.
Book opens. Flap, flap. “We will find the lost shell,” Book says.
Toy hops. “A treasure hunt! A treasure hunt!”
Hat tips forward. “No worries. I can look from up high.”
They walk by a sandcastle.
Waylon asks, “Shell? Shell?”
The wind answers, “Whooo.”
Behind a rock, something goes “Grrr.”
A Monster steps out.
It is not huge, but it is loud.
It has seaweed hair and a grumpy face.
Toy hides behind Waylon. “Eep!”
Waylon’s knees shake. He is shy.
But he takes a slow breath.
He says, “Hello, Monster.”
Monster stomps. “Mine! Mine! Mine!”
Hat whispers, “Be bold, Waylon.”
Book whispers, “Be kind, too.”
Waylon walks closer. “Monster, are you sad?”
Monster blinks. “I… I lost my own shell. I wanted yours.”
Waylon nods. “We can help you. We are a team.”
Toy clicks. “Team! Team! Team!”
Book asks, “Where did you last see your shell?”
Monster points to the tide pools.
They go to the tide pools. Water sparkles.
Hat makes a little shade so everyone can see.
Toy pokes gently with a stick. “Not here… not here…”
Book reads a clue: “Look where the water hugs the sand.”
Waylon kneels. He uses his superhero eyes.
He spots a tiny trail: wet dots, like little kisses.
He follows the dots.
Under a piece of driftwood sits TWO shells.
One is Waylon’s shiny shell badge.
One is Monster’s striped shell.
Waylon smiles. “Found!”
Toy does a happy spin. “Wheee!”
Hat sings, “Told you we’d find it!”
Book closes with a proud thump.
Monster’s eyes get watery. “You helped me.”
Waylon gives Monster the striped shell.
Monster holds it tight. “Thank you. I will not grab again.”
Monster opens his hand. Inside is a small treasure: a smooth, glittery pebble.
He puts it in Waylon’s palm. “For you, superhero.”
Waylon feels warm inside. He also feels the pebble: cool and shiny.
He pins his shell badge back on.
They all sit on the Beach.
They build a new sandcastle.
Monster makes a silly moat. “Splash!”
Toy laughs.
Hat keeps everyone comfy.
Book tells one short line: “Friends help friends.”
The sun goes down.
Waylon whispers, “Superhero happy.”
In his pocket: a treasure pebble.
In his heart: a bigger team.