Seeking Sand Dollars

A few days ago, I reviewed my computer files and found a story I had written for The Magic Nation Gift Shop. Somehow, the story was lost and forgotten. I suppose it's too late to add it to the book, so I'll have to use it in the future. Maybe the muses are playing tricks on me--not allowing me to stop publishing these children's books! Here's the story. Perhaps it will provide a nice ending for the summer of 2018. Let me know if you like it by e-mailing magicnationgifts@gmail.com. SEEKING SAND DOLLARS Katie stood in the back of the Magic Nation shop and starred at the seashells. Mrs. Wright had been teaching her all their names. Katie’s favorites were the sand dollars. You couldn’t use them to buy anything, but they were definitely valuable. “How much do they cost?” Katie asked. “You don’t need to buy one,” said Mrs. Wright. “Aren’t you going to the ocean next week?” “We’re going to Kiawah Island. Will there be sand dollars there?” “Plenty. Don’t worry. You’ll find one.” When Katie arrived at the beach, she began searching for shells. She found angel wings, cockles, slipper shells, and arks. Katie’s brother even found a shark’s tooth. She walked up and down the beach every morning but never saw a sand dollar. At one point, she searched all day. She had lunch on the beach and went back to the shore immediately. That afternoon, she was miserable. Not only had she not found a sand dollar, she was also quite sunburned. Her arms, face, shoulders and legs were bright red. Only her feet were safe from the sun. She always wore water-shoes. “You’ll need to stay inside tomorrow,” her mother said. “The next time you go to the beach, you have to remember to use sunscreen.” “How about I wear a long-sleeved shirt and jeans? I’ll even wear a hat,” said Katie. “I promise to use the sunscreen on my face.” Katie’s mom gave in. Katie walked and walked, but found no sand dollars. All the extra clothes made her hot. “I guess I’ll just have to buy a sand dollar from Mrs. Wright,” she said. That afternoon, Katie sat in the hotel room enjoying the air-conditioning. The hotel manager called to let them know there was a letter in the office. “That’s strange,” said Katie’s mom. “People send postcards from vacation spots, but nobody ever writes to them!” The manager brought the note to the room. It was addressed to Katie. “That’s even more strange,” said Katie’s mom. “Who wrote you a letter?” Katie ripped up the envelope. “It’s not a letter, it’s a poem. And it’s from Mrs. Wright.” Seeking Sand Dollars Surf lapping my ankles, I stand, Toeing through the sea foam To the sand. For as every good Beachcomer knows, The sand dollar's found By using your toes. For smoothness, roundness, Toes touch rough sandy bar Feeling for five tiny slits, And a raised central star. My finds I'll treasure Like pirate's gold bright, As I pack them in cotton To take home tonight. A little note at the bottom of the poem said, “I wrote this poem when I found my sand dollars. I thought you might need some advice.” Katie rushed off to the beach. She rubbed sunscreen on her ankles and feet, rolled up her pants, and waded along the surf. She found five sand dollars. All were perfect. She gave one to her brother, her mother, and her father. She kept one. The largest and most beautiful she saved for a special present. It was carefully wrapped in cotton for Mrs. Wright.