55 



perhaps the prettiest of all. It was such a shell as 

 one does not often see ; beautifully curled and 

 curiously marked with greenish colorings. It had 

 washed up after a storm from far away. 



The little crab who lived In this shell was very 

 proud of it. He curled his soft tail comfortably 

 inside and held it tight with a sucker. Then he 

 walked about as he chose to go. With that shell 

 to protect him, there was no fear of being gobbled 

 up by some of the greedy beach birds. He would 

 feel quite safe even if the breakers rose so high that 

 he was washed out to sea. 



When the crab first found the shell, he was quite 

 little — so small that it was almost too big for him to 

 drag about. 



But day followed day, and as time passed the little 

 crab grew and grew. 



The shell did not grow, however, and so after 

 a while it began to be too small for him. It was a 

 beautiful little house, but it was a tight fit. 



" Yes, there is no doubt about it ; I need a larger 

 shell," said the crab. 



" Yes you do. You certainly do need a larger 

 shell," said a smaller crab who had crawled up close 

 to him. 



