Scarlett's New Friend Read Free Page A

do?”
    â€œIf we really want to fight Mantora, we’ve got to clean up this beach,” declared Scarlett, with a stubborn expression on her face.
    The other mermaids glanced at each other uncertainly. It was impossible to say no to Scarlett when she was in this bossy mood.
    â€œBut, Scarlett, how could we get across the beach to pick up the litter?” asked Sophie.
    â€œWe’ll just have to find some other creatures to help us,” replied Scarlett. “I’m sure it won’t be too hard.”

    â€œWell, all right then,” said Holly slowly. “We all want to help clean the beach. But we must be careful and keep our crystals safe. We don’t want anything to delay our journey home tonight.”
    Scout looked very pleased. “I’ll go and tell Lori,” he said. “She’ll be so happy.” The father seal dived clumsily from the rocks and then streamed away under the water.

    Scarlett quickly started to tell the other mermaids her ideas for cleaning the beach.
    â€œWe can’t take the trash away anywhere,” she said, “so the best thing to do is to bury it.”
    â€œHow will we do that?” asked Sophie.
    â€œIt’s simple,” explained Scarlett. “We’llswim over from these rocks and sit at the water’s edge. The tide is low at the moment, so we’ll scoop out some holes in the damp sand with the scallop shells in our S.O.S. Kits. The holes will be our garbage pits. We’ll fill them up with the litter and cover it carefully with pebbles. When the tide comes in later, everything will be completely hidden.”
    â€œSo who should we ask to help us, Scarlett?” wondered Ellie. “We can’t walk over the beach to pick things up.”
    â€œWe have friends with beaks and wings, though,” replied Scarlett determinedly. “You can ask the seabirds to help.”
    Soon the mermaids were sitting on their curling tails by the edge of the shore. Ellie made the special bird call that the great albatross had taught her, while Scarlett decided where to dig the holes in the sand. In a few moments, some seabirds with long legs and beaks gathered by the water’s edge. They were waders, and they had heard Ellie’s call.

    â€œWe will help you,” said the waders, in their quick, chirruping voices.
    â€œExcellent,” said Scarlett. “Show them what to do, Ellie, and I’ll get some more help. Didn’t Scout say that there were lots of crabs on this beach? Their scurrying legs and snapping pincers will be just right for picking up litter.”
    She shook her long hair back from her face and cupped her hands around her mouth.
    â€œAll crabs must report for duty NOW, in the name of Queen Neptuna,” she called. “I’ve got a job for you!”

Chapter Five
    A group of curious young pebble crabs lined up in a row in front of Scarlett. They had pinky-orange shells and large front claws.
    â€œOkay,” she said briskly, “you crabs are going to help us. We’ve got to get this beach cleaned up so that Lori and the other baby seals can play here safely.”
    â€œWhy should we do all the work?” askedone of them, stepping forward boldly. “It’s not our problem!”

    â€œIt will be your problem if I tell Queen Neptuna that you refused to help us,” said Scarlett angrily. “What’s your name?”
    â€œI’m not telling you, bossy boots,” said the fearless crab.
    â€œOoh, Buster,” giggled the other pebble crabs, “you’ll make her so mad!”
    â€œSo it’s Buster, is it?” said Scarlett, her cheeks burning with annoyance. “Well, Buster, you and your friends had better get to work if you don’t want to be reported to Her Majesty when we get back to Coral Kingdom.”
    Sophie and the other mermaids glanced at each other nervously. Scarlett was being so bossy—and just when she had been