Sleepy Seal’s Rocky Pillow

Far out in the gentle ocean, where the waves whispered soft lullabies, lived a little seal named Sleepy. Sleepy had the fluffiest gray fur and the biggest, sleepiest eyes you ever did see.

Every evening, as the sun painted the sky in shades of pink and gold, Sleepy would swim to her favorite rocky outcrop. But tonight, something was different. Her usual smooth, comfortable rock felt bumpy and uncomfortable.

“Oh my,” yawned Sleepy, turning this way and that. “My rocky pillow feels so lumpy tonight.”

She slipped into the cool water and dove down deep, her whiskers twitching as she searched. Soon, she discovered something wonderful – her rocky pillow wasn’t bumpy at all! Three tiny hermit crabs had made their homes in the little crevices of her rock.

“Hello there,” whispered Sleepy softly. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but this is where I sleep each night.”

The smallest hermit crab poked his head out. “We’re sorry, Miss Sleepy! We were looking for a safe place to rest too. The ocean can be scary for little crabs at night.”

Sleepy’s heart warmed like sunshine on water. She thought for a moment, then smiled her sweetest seal smile. “Why don’t we all share? There’s plenty of room for everyone.”

So Sleepy curled up on the smooth part of her rock, while the three hermit crabs nestled safely in their cozy crevices. The gentle waves rocked them all like a cradle, and the stars began to twinkle overhead.

“Thank you, Sleepy,” whispered the hermit crabs. “You’re very kind.”

“Sweet dreams, little friends,” Sleepy murmured, closing her sleepy eyes.

And from that night on, Sleepy’s rocky pillow became the most comfortable bed in all the ocean – not because it was smooth, but because it was shared with friends. The waves sang them all to sleep, and they dreamed the most peaceful dreams under the starry sky.