Below the brackish waters of the Rockaway beaches lived an assembly of sea scavengers. Lobsters, shrimp, oysters, seahorses, catfish and jimmy crabs inhabited the ocean floor. Among them lived a crab named Jimmy Beetles.
Jimmy Beetles was different. He had brilliant blue front claws with a bluish-green shell. His beady eyes rested on short stalks out of his head, like a beetle. This permitted him to see the smallest movements in all directions. He also had a pair of paddle-shaped legs for excellent swimming and an inverted “T” shape on his belly.
Jimmy Beetles was the crankiest crab in the ocean. He used his cross moods to control other sea creatures. When Jimmy Beetles had a bad day, everyone had a bad day.
Jimmy Beetles rather enjoyed dominating other bottom-dwellers because he liked to eat their food. At dawn and dusk, he would emerge from his burrow to invade the clam, oyster and mussel beds, while the other crabs and sea scavengers would scatter at the sight of him. His behavior made him feel powerful. And so he thought he should be king of the ocean.
One evening, after another heavy meal, Jimmy Beetles wobbled toward his burrow. He discovered a majestic oyster holding a luminescent pink pearl. The oyster's broad shell fanned out across the ocean floor. Its colossal pearl sat delicately upon the oyster's bed as though resting on a throne. Its brilliant prisms of color glistened in the water, capturing Jimmy Beetle's attention.
The pearl's prisms were the ocean's only source of light. Everyone on the ocean floor knew not to touch the precious jewel. As ocean legend would have it, bad luck would come to anyone who handled the majestic pink gem.
Without asking, Jimmy Beetles scurried to the oyster to look closer at the pearl. As he looked up at it he was nearly blinded by its beauty.
The ocean floor was calm and quiet. Jimmy Beetle's voice echoed as he sneered "Well, well, well." He studied the priceless pearl closely with his beady eyes. Immediately, he thought how to use the pearl. "I'll sculpt myself a luminescent crown and a throne and proclaim myself King of the Ocean,” he told himself as he waved his snappy claws.
“I shall be called Royal Blue,” he announced to no one in particular.
Unexpectedly, the oyster spoke......
