Chapter 1    

In a few days, it is Rex the crab's birthday. He told his parents that he wants a brand new shell for his birthday. He is older now and his shell is worn and cracked. Everyone laughs at his shell. It's too tight for him.

    Besides that, all of his friends already have new shells. They are all older than him. They have brand new shells. They parade around showing off their fancy designs.

"Hey, Rex," they would call, "how do you like my new shell? Isn't it about time you got a new one?" All of his friends would laugh at his brittle, under-sized shell.

    Rex would slink away, heartbroken. He wished he had a new shiny shell like all of the other crabs. He wanted it to be shiny, bold, and unique. He wanted his shell to be different from anyone else's. 

    Every day, Rex searched the beach for a brand new shell. He rummaged under rocks. He sifted through the sand. He groveled through the grass. He swept by the sea.

    He just couldn't seem to find a shell that was suited for him. Rex was losing all hope of finding a new shell by his birthday.

    One day he hoped to have a fancy shell too. 

Chapter 2 

 Rex was playing with his friends, who all had new shells. He was sad because his was old. He inched away from them and sat down by himself. He decided to go home.

    When Rex got home he dreamed about what it would be like if he had a fancy shell. The next day his friend Marco came to his house.

    "Hey Rex, do you want to come with me to Daniel's house? We're going to paint our shells."

    "No. I don't have a shell to paint yet."

"Okay. You'll get one soon."

    Marco headed for the door. "See you later."

     "Oh...ok. Bye, Marco. Have fun." Rex said hurt.

    "Hey, mom," Rex said. 

    "What do you need?" 

    "When am I going to get my new shell?" Rex asked. 

    "It will come. It takes a long time to find a good one." She said calmly. "You'll have it before you know it."

    "Ok. Goodnight, mom." Rex murmured. He went to bed thinking how bad his birthday was going to be without a new shell.

    The day is finally here, but Rex was not excited. When he stepped around the corner into the living room, "SURPRISE!"

    He saw loads of presents waiting for him. Rex ran to the presents, carefully inspecting each one to see if it could be a shell. None of them looked like a shell.