Once upon a time, nestled beside a sparkling river, lived a little otter named Ollie. Ollie loved to play more than anything! He would swoosh down the muddy riverbank – whee! – right into the cool water with a happy splash. He'd twist and turn, chasing little fishy shadows and giggling bubbly otter giggles.
One sunny afternoon, Ollie felt a rumble in his tummy. It was time for a snack! He saw his mama floating nearby, munching on something delicious from inside a hard shell. Ollie found a shell too, small and round, lying on the riverbed. He tried nibbling it, but it was much too hard for his little teeth.
He pushed it with his nose, but it wouldn't open. He patted it with his paws, but still, it stayed shut tight. Ollie sighed a bubbly sigh. How could he get to the yummy treat inside?
Just then, a kind-faced older otter with soft, silvery fur floated closer. Her name was Willow. She saw little Ollie puzzling over his shell. "Having trouble, little one?" she asked gently. Ollie nodded sadly.
Willow smiled. She dove down for a moment and came back up holding a perfectly smooth, grey stone. "Watch this," she whispered. Holding the shell carefully on her tummy, she took the stone and tapped the shell gently. Tap, tap, crack! The shell popped open!
"Wow!" gasped Ollie. Willow offered him a piece of the tasty morsel inside. It was delicious! "You try now," Willow encouraged. Ollie dove down and found his own smooth little stone. He placed his shell on his tummy just like Willow did.
He held his stone tight and tapped the shell. Tap, tap… crack! It opened! Ollie chirped with delight. He had learned a clever trick! He shared his snack with Willow, and sharing felt almost as good as the yummy food.
They spent the rest of the afternoon playing together, diving, swirling, and sliding down the bank until the sky turned soft pink and orange. As the first stars began to twinkle, Ollie felt sleepy.
Willow floated beside him on her back. "Let's hold hands," she suggested softly. Ollie reached out his paw, and Willow held it gently. Floating together, paw in paw, they wouldn't drift apart while they dreamed sweet otter dreams in the quiet, peaceful river. Goodnight, little otters.