The Shiny Shell Debate

At the Shore Parade, every crab wants to win by gleam and glitter. But Finchlet the finch looks closer — and shows that real strength hides behind simple shells. A playful story about patience, careful eyes, and why true worth outshines flash.

By Ross Boulton (c)2025

Down by the shoreline where seafoam would land,

The crabs held a contest, their shells proud and grand.

"Who has the shiniest shell?" they proclaimed,

And soon every crab polished wildly for fame.

The judges assembled—three gulls and a crow—

And gasped at the glitter and glamorous show!

The crowd clapped and cheered for the brightest of hues:

For shells polished purple and sparkling blues.

One crab had a mirror strapped tight to his back!

Another wore glitter stuck fast with tree sap!

The judges squawked loudly: "Such dazzle! Such gleam!"

As the crabs gleamed and glimmered like stars in a dream.

But Finchlet the finch, with a keen little eye,

Spied something odd in the shimmer and sky:

Some shells, though sparkling, were brittle and cracked,

While duller shells gleamed with true strength intact.

She called to the judges to look past the sheen,

And showed them the crabs where real strength could be seen.

The toughest shells, plain, not flashy or bright,

Had weathered the storms and stood strong through the night.

The judges all blinked, and they whispered, "It’s true,"

Then crowned a plain crab with a shell faded blue.

From that day at Shore Parade’s sandy sprawl,

It wasn’t just shine—but strength—that won all.

✨ Moral:

"Shine fades — truth lasts."

💡 Did You Know?

In real life, the shiniest things aren't always the strongest — and the flashiest claims aren't always true!

Whether it’s a new toy, a bold ad, or a big idea, it’s smart to look a little closer and ask a few good questions.

Real strength — and real truth — aren’t always easy to spot at first glance.

The best thinkers know: it’s what’s underneath that counts!