Tung Tung clung to his mother’s back as they walked along the rocky shore, the smell of saltwater filling the air. The sound of waves crashing and seabirds calling overhead made the place feel alive and wild. His mother, calm and experienced, led the way with confidence, while Tung Tung peeked over her shoulder, full of questions.
They reached a small tide pool where crabs were known to hide among the rocks and seaweed. His mother gently placed him down and pointed to the water, showing him how to stay still and watch carefully. At first, Tung Tung didn’t see anything—just water and stones. But then, to his amazement, a giant crab slowly crawled out from under a rock.
Tung Tung’s eyes widened in shock. The crab’s long legs, shiny shell, and sharp claws were nothing like he had ever seen before in the forest. He took a careful step back, unsure if it was friend or foe. The crab didn’t seem to care about the small visitor, but for Tung Tung, it was like seeing a monster from a storybook come to life.
His mother reached out and gently tapped the water near the crab, making it scuttle away. Tung Tung jumped, then giggled nervously. Slowly, curiosity overtook fear. He crouched beside his mother, fascinated, as more crabs appeared—some big, some small, some hiding, some crawling boldly out into the open.
Together, mother and son observed the creatures, learning and playing. His mother even showed him how to pick up a small crab carefully, without getting pinched. With some hesitation, Tung Tung copied her. He held the tiny creature in his fingers, watching it wiggle. A wide smile spread across his face—it was a moment of courage and discovery.
The morning went on, and Tung Tung became braver. He splashed through shallow water, chased little crabs, and even tried mimicking the crab’s sideways walk, making his mother laugh. What had started as a nervous outing turned into a joyful learning experience.
As the sun rose higher, it was time to head back. Tung Tung climbed onto his mother’s back again, looking back at the ocean with a sense of wonder. His little heart was full of stories to remember—of giant crabs, salty waves, and a special day with his mother.
