Crabby the Crabby Crab – Chapter 5

I Don’t Like Goodbyes

The morning dawned hazy and nippy as a light, endless fog wrapped up the whole horizon in a mysterious, serene landscape.
Beneath the haze, the shimmery rays of the dawn covered the sky like a gigantic fluffy cloak striped with silver, while the dark-blue waves swished quietly, spreading their pleasant damp aroma all over the shores. The dewy droplets glistened peacefully over the yellowish sand like pretty pale pearls.
At this time, Sylvia strolled in silence, holding Crabby tightly inside her warm, tiny fist.
The small crab wore his green velvet costume and held a leather blue backpack full of tiny gifts.
Next to them, Sarah was marching quietly, wrapping her warm, gray shawl around her shoulders.
The high sandy dunes stood steadily, in front of them, brushed from time to time by the splash of the crispy, rolling waves.
Sylvia and Crabby had spent many happy hours on this beach, swimming in the crystal-clear waters, building sandcastles, and watching the sunrise.
A single tear rolled down from Sylvia’s cheek as they turned away from the ocean and began to walk back towards the shore.
The young girl was down in the dumps. She was dragging her foot, staring in sorrow at Crabby, when suddenly, the little crab sighed, his eyes gazing towards the horizon. “Ah, you can’t imagine how much I love the dawn, Sylvia. Its fresh breezes cradle my heart,” said Crabby. Then he bowed, looking at Sarah. “Thank you for your tea and sympathy, Madame. I appreciate what you have done for me.”
“My pleasure,” replied the young lady, smiling. “You’re welcome at any time, Crabby.”
“Sure, I have no doubt,” said Crabby. “I cannot thank you enough, Madame. This experience was life-changing for me. I have learned a lot over my journey with you.”
Then he added, turning his head towards the little girl, “I envy you, Sylvia. You have a Mum with a golden heart, a real mother in a million.”
“Thank you, Crabby. You too have been a unique, special friend to my daughter,” said Sarah. Then she murmured, stepping back, “Sylvia, I will leave you for a while with Crabby. I am here, my baby.”
As her mother slipped away, the young girl stood still, staring sorrowfully at Crabby. Then she started caressing him gently.
She let out a long wistful sigh, “Crabby, you have been my best friend. I cannot imagine my life without you!”
“I shall reappear soon, Sylvia. I promise! Just wait for me and you’ll see me waving at you in the sand!” replied Crabby, patting his pincers softly on her fist.
“Oh Crabby, but I’ll miss you!” squeaked Sylvia.
The two friends kept silent for a while, watching each other with deep grief as the early weak sun rays began dancing softly over their bodies, embracing them with warmth and tranquility.
“This is life,” sighed Crabby. “All the joyful moments run in a daze, my friend.”
Immediately, the young girl couldn’t hold herself, ” Crabby, don’t go please!” she shouted, sobbing bitterly.
“Please, Sylvia, take it easy,” replied Crabby, staring at her charming eyes, full of tears. ” I don’t like to see you crying. You cut my heart off.”
“Okay,” he added. “Listen to me. Let me tell you something interesting. Close your eyes for a short while and try to remember something funny. Anything, okay. The parrrr…..ty?”
“Oh, Crabby, nooo. The party! I cannot forget it. It had me dying of laughter,” chortled Sylvia loudly, wiping her tears.
“Haha. That was so funny!” replied Crabby chuckling. “Poor Miss Graham. Her resonant screams cracked me up until now.”
The two friends burst into laughter.
“Ooh! I am content that my mission is done and dusted,” declared Crabby, with a sigh of relief.
“I guess you deserve a great reward from your King,” said Sylvia.
“Surely. His Majesty is very generous, and so is his Mum,” replied Crabby, nodding his head.
As Sylvia kneeled to put Crabby on the sand, a cold, wet breeze blew around them and tickled her woeful face.
“Oh, it seems that it is going to rain,” declared Sylvia, holding his shivering body tightly with her arms.
“Perhaps a big storm is landing up in a short while,” announced the little girl worriedly. “What about if you wait for tonight and leave tomorrow, Crabby?”
“Oh no, please don’t worry. Returning to the homeland is a walk in the sunshine,” said Crabby. “As I told you, Sylvia. I must leave at sunrise.”
Then he added: “My ship must be in its way now. I guess it is not far away.”
“Ship?” replied Sylvia, twisting her mouth.
“Oh, I didn’t tell you. The ship of my friend Wingy. He is a little penguin who travels the world with the famous pirate, Captain Pungy!”
“Wow! That sounds interesting!” cried Sylvia enthusiastically.
“Next time when I come back I’ll tell you about him and his mad adventures!” giggled Crabby. “Perhaps you will meet him one day. Who knows?”
Suddenly, an enormous somber shadow filled the wide horizon with a high piercing whistle.
“The whale!” screamed Crabby, thrilled.
“I think it’s time for you to go, Crabby,” muttered Sylvia in tears.
“Oh, no, Sylvia please, I don’t like goodbyes!” whispered the little crab in sorrow, turning his face away to hide his tears. Then, at a glance, he jumped into the water heading swiftly towards the horizon.
Meanwhile, Sylvia stood, staring at him disappearing inside the tranquil clear ocean.
“Farewell! Safe travels, my dear friend,” she murmured, waving her trembling hand. “I will miss you so much.”
“It’s time to go home,” said Sarah, hugging her tightly to her chest. “It’s okay, sweetheart. You will see him again. I am sure. Trust me. Trust this, okay,” she added, pointing at Sylvia’s sorrowful heart.
Then she looked with great warmth at her daughter’s face, held her wet cheeks with her gentle hands, and said, smiling. “You know what? The gnome told me there is a pretty little girl who loves to drink a BIIIIG cup of hot chocolate with soft creamy muffins filled with yummy salty caramel syrup aaand…”
“Oh, Mum. You triggered my hunger,” chuckled the little girl. ” Ok, let’s race back home!”
“This time I will win,” yelled Sarah.
“No. I WILL!” chortled Sylvia while running swiftly, her silky blond hair swinging through the cool morning breeze.
“I told you, Mum!” shouted the little girl elated, leaving her mum behind, trying to catch her rapid, short breaths.”Sylvia, WAIT…!!”

The End