Once upon a time, there lay
a simple shell of wood and stone
a hermit crab, all small and new
fell deep within and called it home
An ill wind rose to rock the beach
upon which the shell was laid all neat
though worry filled that tiny home
a bird came along with voice so sweet
The heron, bold and strong and sure
promised the crab was safe from harm
against the rising wind and tide
that there was no need for alarm
Protection given for a tiny cost,
that the crab should work all day and night
to feed the heron 'til satisfied,
Who'd defend the shell from every plight
The deal was struck, the bargain sealed
and Hermit Crab began to toil
to sow and raise and reap delights
raised up sweet from the sandy soil
But the heron, it had other plans
to take and take and leave alone
and when its hunger pangs did wane
it abandoned that house of wood and stone
The wind rose high upon that shore
and the simple shell was torn and sundered
Till nothing but the crab remained
as overhead the lightning thundered
The shell discarded, ripped away
made that hermit crab decide
to pack up all its worldly goods
and find a brand new place to hide
It searched by rock and river mouth
by grass and logs of ash and oak
it found a shell with holes and cracks
large and old and nettle-choked
The hermit crab, used to working hard
began to cut and clean and scrape
until the holes with clay were filled
The shell was slowly taking shape
but even one who worked so long
could never build a house alone
A spider helped to mend the cracks
with silken threads, all neatly sewn
a brand new bed with pillows soft
table, chairs and more besides
a woodlouse carved with greatest care
to liven up the bare insides
lantern bugs then volunteered
to bring a glow to light the gloom
and in the ceiling softly lay
and brightened up the single room
with friends to aid that troubled crab
with light and gifts and fun galore
The hermit crab lay safe at last
and knew it could not wish for more
and when a rat, with teeth so sharp
did wander in with eyes so bright
the hermit crab, with lessons learned
Snapped hard to make it turn tail with fright
And so the crab, with all its friends
now dwells in the dell where the new shell lies
and should rough winds rise up once more
they'll find safety together, with contented sighs.