On a warm little island, Dinosaur Obey Gipson woke up early. Obey was green, small, and very kind. He had big feet, a soft tail, and a brave little heart.
“Good morning, sun!” said Obey.
The sun shone on the blue sea. Palm leaves went swish, swish. Tiny crabs went tip-tap, tip-tap.
Then Obey heard a sniffle.
“Sniff. Sniff.”
Under a fern sat Egg. Egg was round and white with blue spots. Egg was sad.
“My shiny shell is gone,” said Egg. “It was my favorite shell. It goes ding-ding when I tap it.”
Obey bent down. “We will find it,” he said. “I can help.”
Jungle Guide came along the sandy path. Jungle Guide wore a yellow hat and carried a map. He knew every tree, every rock, and every puddle on the island.
“I saw a silver sparkle near Coconut Hill,” said Jungle Guide. “But we must walk slowly. The path is bumpy.”
“I can walk slowly,” said Obey.
“I can roll slowly,” said Egg.
They went together. Stomp, stomp went Obey. Roll, roll went Egg. Step, step went Jungle Guide.
At Coconut Hill, they found big round footprints. They led to a cave.
From the cave came a deep sound.
“Rumble... grumble... clunk!”
Egg hid behind Obey’s tail.
Obey felt a tiny wobble in his tummy. But he took a breath. “Hello?” he called.
A Stone Golem came out. He was tall and gray. Moss grew on his shoulders. His eyes were two gentle golden lights.
“Hello,” said Stone Golem. His voice was like two rocks saying hello.
In his rocky hand was Egg’s shiny shell.
Egg gasped. “My shell!”
Stone Golem looked down. “I found it by the sea,” he said. “It made ding-ding. I thought it was a lonely bell.”
Egg peeked out. “It is my shell. I was lonely without it.”
Stone Golem’s golden eyes looked worried. “Oh. I did not know.”
Obey smiled. “You can give it back. Then nobody is sad.”
Stone Golem held out his hand. But the shell was stuck between his stony fingers.
“Clunk,” said Stone Golem. “It will not come out.”
Jungle Guide looked at his map. “We need something smooth.”
Griffin swooped down from the sky. Griffin had eagle wings, lion paws, and a fluffy golden tail. He was cheerful and liked helping.
“I have a feather!” said Griffin.
Griffin gently tickled the space beside the shell with his long feather.
“Tickle, tickle,” said the feather.
Stone Golem laughed. “Ha-ha-ha... ACHOO!”
Out popped the shell. Ding-ding-ding!
Egg rolled to it. “My shell!”
Egg tapped it softly. Ding. Ding. Ding.
Everyone smiled, even Stone Golem.
“But wait,” said Stone Golem. “I have a surprise.”
He moved one heavy rock. Then another. Behind them was a little hidden cave full of treasures from the sea: pink shells, bright stones, and one golden shell shaped like a star.
“For being kind helpers,” said Stone Golem, “please choose a treasure.”
Egg chose a tiny blue shell for his nest. Jungle Guide chose a compass stone for his map bag. Griffin chose a sparkly feather clip.
Obey chose the golden star shell.
“Thank you,” said Obey. “We helped because Egg was sad.”
Stone Golem nodded. “That is a very good reason.”
They walked home as the sky turned orange. Stomp, stomp. Roll, roll. Step, step. Flap, flap. Clunk, clunk.
At home, Egg put his shiny shell beside his bed. Obey put the golden star shell on a rock outside his door.
Each morning, it caught the sunlight and sparkled.
And whenever Obey saw it, he remembered: kind friends can find lost things, fix little troubles, and make room for one more friend.
Ding-ding, went Egg’s shell.
“Good night, island,” said Obey Gipson.
The warm island whispered, “Good night.”