In a small village by the shimmering sea, there was a legend about a hidden treasure buried deep in Sunstone Cove. The treasure was said to be guarded by a rather grumpy crab named Captain Pinch, who had a penchant for snapping at anyone who dared to approach his sandy home. One sunny morning, a group of adventurous friends—Milo, Tessa, and Pedro—decided it was time to seek out the treasure and see if the stories were true.

With maps printed from a questionable website, the trio set off towards Sunstone Cove, equipped with a magnifying glass, a metal detector, and a bag full of peanut butter sandwiches. “What if Captain Pinch is a giant crab?” Tessa wondered aloud, her eyes wide with excitement. “Or a tiny crab with an enormous hat?” Milo proposed, equally thrilled. Pedro, munching on a sandwich, couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought of a crab wearing a hat. “Whatever it is,” he said, “I’m not sharing my lunch with it!”

As they strolled along the sun-kissed beach, the friends stumbled upon an old, weathered sign that read, “Beware of the Snapping Crustacean!” Just then, a shadow loomed over them. Captain Pinch emerged, his claws as big as shoe boxes. “Why are you here, puny land dwellers?” he barked, causing Tessa to stumble backward. Milo bravely stepped forward and explained their quest for the treasure. “We come in peace!” he said. The crab tilted his head, intrigued but still suspicious. “Complete my challenge, and I may let you pass.”

The challenge turned out to be a riddle, “I have keys but open no locks, I have space but no room, I have a face but no eyes. What am I?” After much head scratching and a few silly guesses involving pizza and jelly doughnuts, Pedro shouted, “A computer!” Captain Pinch’s eyes widened in surprise, and he burst into laughter. “Correct! I didn’t think anyone would get that!” His laughter echoed like crashing waves, and the tension melted away as they all joined in, chuckling together.

With the crab’s challenge complete, Captain Pinch surprisingly offered to guide them to the treasure. As they trooped along, they learned that the crab was simply lonely and had been waiting for someone to share a laugh with. They chatted and shared peanut butter sandwiches, and the crab couldn’t resist taking a bite – after all, he had a reputation to uphold. Finally, they arrived at a beautiful cove adorned with sparkling stones, where the treasure lay hidden beneath a large rock.

With a little teamwork and a lot of giggles, they shifted the rock to reveal a chest filled with the shiniest gold coins and jewels the friends had ever seen! Instead of taking the treasure for themselves, they decided to use it to build a playground in their village, so everyone could enjoy the joy they found together. Captain Pinch, now part of the gang, promised to be the playground’s official guardian, ensuring fun with a sprinkle of his crabby humor.

In the end, the friends learned an important lesson about friendship and sharing. They didn’t just discover treasure; they forged a bond with a grumpy crab. Every now and then, Captain Pinch would come out to tell the tale of the day he found friends in the most unexpected of places, proving that true treasures are often the friendships and laughter we find along the journey.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was the legend about Sunstone Cove that the friends wanted to investigate?
2. How did Tessa and Milo imagine Captain Pinch might appear?
3. What challenge did Captain Pinch present to the friends, and what was the riddle he asked?
4. How did the friends react when they first encountered Captain Pinch?
5. What realization did the friends come to about Captain Pinch as they spent time together?
6. What decision did the friends make regarding the treasure they found?
7. How did Captain Pinch’s character change throughout the story?
8. What important lesson did the friends learn by the end of their adventure?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a (1)______ village by the shimmering sea, there was a legend about a hidden treasure buried deep in Sunstone Cove. The treasure was said to be guarded by a rather grumpy crab named (2)______ Pinch, who had a (3)______ for snapping at anyone who dared to approach his sandy home. One sunny morning, a group of adventurous friends—Milo, (4)______, and Pedro—decided it was time to seek out the treasure and see if the stories were true.

With maps printed from a questionable website, the trio set off towards Sunstone Cove, equipped with a magnifying glass, a metal detector, and a bag full of peanut butter sandwiches. “What if Captain Pinch is a giant crab?” Tessa wondered aloud, her eyes wide with excitement. “Or a tiny crab with an enormous hat?” Milo proposed, equally thrilled. Pedro, munching on a sandwich, couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought of a crab wearing a hat. “Whatever it is,” he said, “I’m not sharing my lunch with it!”

As they strolled along the sun-kissed beach, the friends (5)______ upon an old, weathered sign that read, “Beware of the Snapping Crustacean!” Just then, a shadow loomed over them. Captain Pinch emerged, his (6)______ as big as shoe boxes. “Why are you here, puny land (7)______?” he barked, causing Tessa to stumble backward. Milo bravely stepped forward and (8)______ their quest for the treasure. “We come in peace!” he said. The crab tilted his head, intrigued but still suspicious. “Complete my challenge, and I may let you pass.”

The challenge turned out to be a riddle, “I have keys but open no locks, I have space but no room, I have a face but no eyes. What am I?” After much head scratching and a few silly guesses involving pizza and jelly (9)______, (10)______ shouted, “A computer!” Captain Pinch’s eyes widened in (11)______, and he burst into laughter. “Correct! I didn’t think anyone would get that!” His laughter echoed like crashing waves, and the tension melted away as they all joined in, chuckling together.

With the crab’s challenge complete, Captain Pinch surprisingly offered to guide them to the treasure. As they trooped along, they learned that the crab was simply lonely and had been waiting for someone to share a laugh with. They chatted and shared (12)______ butter sandwiches, and the crab couldn’t resist taking a bite – after all, he had a reputation to uphold. Finally, they arrived at a beautiful cove adorned with sparkling stones, where the treasure lay hidden beneath a large rock.

With a little teamwork and a lot of giggles, they shifted the rock to reveal a (13)______ filled with the (14)______ gold coins and jewels the friends had ever seen! Instead of taking the treasure for themselves, they decided to use it to build a playground in their village, so everyone could enjoy the joy they found together. Captain Pinch, now part of the gang, promised to be the playground’s official (15)______, ensuring fun with a sprinkle of his crabby humor.

In the end, the friends learned an important lesson about (16)______ and sharing. They didn’t just discover treasure; they forged a bond with a grumpy crab. Every now and then, Captain Pinch would come out to tell the tale of the day he found friends in the most unexpected of places, proving that true treasures are often the friendships and laughter we find along the journey.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a treasure to you, and how do you define its value in your life?

2. How would you feel if you encountered a creature that was initially grumpy or unfriendly? Would you try to befriend it? Why or why not?

3. Do you think it’s important to share experiences with others, like the friends did with Captain Pinch? Why or why not?

4. What is a challenge you have faced that seemed difficult at first but turned out to be rewarding?

5. How would you react if you were presented with a riddle or puzzle that you had to solve to move forward in a situation?

6. Do you think that laughter can help to break down barriers between people? Why or why not?

7. What is your opinion on the idea of using unexpected resources (like treasure) for the benefit of the community rather than for personal gain?

8. How would you feel if you discovered that someone you thought was unfriendly was actually just lonely?

9. Do you like the idea of embarking on an adventure with friends? What do you think makes an adventure memorable?

10. What is a lesson you have learned from a friendship that was formed in an unexpected way?

11. How do you think the friends’ decision to build a playground reflects their values and priorities?

12. Do you think it’s important to maintain a sense of humor in challenging situations? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. shimmering
2. legend
3. penchant
4. adventurous
5. questionable
6. equipped
7. emerged
8. puny
9. suspicious
10. challenge
11. riddle
12. surprisingly
13. adorned
14. teamwork
15. forged

Meanings:
(A) Small and weak
(B) Having or showing a cautious distrust of someone or something
(C) Supplied with the necessary items for a particular purpose
(D) Created or formed, especially by means of a particular process
(E) Decorated or made more beautiful
(F) Willing to take risks or try out new methods, ideas, or experiences
(G) In an unexpected manner
(H) Doubtful in terms of truth or reliability
(I) Came into view or became visible
(J) A question or statement intentionally phrased to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer or meaning
(K) A task or situation that tests someone’s abilities
(L) The combined action of a group, especially when effective and efficient
(M) A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated
(N) A strong or habitual liking for something
(O) Reflecting light in a sparkling, glimmering way
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was the name of the crab guarding the treasure?
(a) Captain Snap
(b) Captain Pinch
(c) Captain Crunch
(d) Captain Claw

2. What did the friends bring with them on their adventure?
(a) Peanut butter sandwiches
(b) Pizza
(c) Jelly doughnuts
(d) Chocolate bars

3. What was Captain Pinch’s challenge to the friends?
(a) A riddle
(b) A race
(c) A scavenger hunt
(d) A dance-off

4. What was the answer to Captain Pinch’s riddle?
(a) A treasure chest
(b) A crab
(c) A computer
(d) A map

5. What did the friends decide to do with the treasure they found?
(a) Buy ice cream
(b) Keep it for themselves
(c) Donate it to charity
(d) Build a playground

6. How did the friends feel about Captain Pinch by the end of the story?
(a) They were still scared of him
(b) They wanted to avoid him
(c) They considered him a friend
(d) They thought he was annoying

7. What lesson did the friends learn from their adventure?
(a) How to solve riddles
(b) The importance of friendship and sharing
(c) The value of treasure
(d) How to catch crabs

8. What did Captain Pinch promise to do after the treasure was found?
(a) Leave the cove forever
(b) Challenge more adventurers
(c) Stop being grumpy
(d) Be the playground’s official guardian

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The main characters in the story are three friends named Milo, Tessa, and Pedro.
2. The friends use a metal detector, a magnifying glass, and peanut butter sandwiches on their adventure.
3. The story emphasizes the importance of friendship and sharing, as the friends form a bond with Captain Pinch.
4. Instead of taking the treasure for themselves, the friends decide to use it to build a playground for their village.
5. Captain Pinch tests the friends with a riddle to see if they are worthy.
6. The story unfolds in a large city far from the sea, where a rumor about buried treasure circulates.
7. Pedro inaccurately responds to the riddle presented by Captain Pinch, resulting in no change in the crab’s behavior.
8. Captain Pinch is a cheerful crab who overlooks the treasure hidden in Sunstone Cove.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this story in two sentences. Here are some hints:
Who are the main characters?
What happens in the story?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What was the legend about Sunstone Cove that the friends wanted to investigate?
The legend was about a hidden treasure buried deep in Sunstone Cove, said to be guarded by a grumpy crab named Captain Pinch.

2. How did Tessa and Milo imagine Captain Pinch might appear?
Tessa wondered if Captain Pinch might be a giant crab, while Milo proposed the idea of a tiny crab with an enormous hat.

3. What challenge did Captain Pinch present to the friends, and what was the riddle he asked?
Captain Pinch presented a challenge that involved solving a riddle: “I have keys but open no locks, I have space but no room, I have a face but no eyes. What am I?”

4. How did the friends react when they first encountered Captain Pinch?
The friends were initially startled and a bit frightened when they encountered Captain Pinch, especially Tessa, who stumbled backward.

5. What realization did the friends come to about Captain Pinch as they spent time together?
They realized that Captain Pinch was simply lonely and had been waiting for someone to share a laugh with.

6. What decision did the friends make regarding the treasure they found?
The friends decided to use the treasure to build a playground in their village, so everyone could enjoy the joy they found together.

7. How did Captain Pinch’s character change throughout the story?
Captain Pinch’s character changed from a grumpy, intimidating crab to a friendly companion who enjoyed laughter and became the playground’s official guardian.

8. What important lesson did the friends learn by the end of their adventure?
The friends learned that true treasures are often the friendships and laughter found along the journey, rather than just material wealth.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) small
(2) Captain
(3) penchant
(4) Tessa
(5) stumbled
(6) claws
(7) dwellers
(8) explained
(9) doughnuts
(10) Pedro
(11) surprise
(12) peanut
(13) chest
(14) shiniest
(15) guardian
(16) friendship
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. shimmering
Answer: (O) Reflecting light in a sparkling, glimmering way

2. legend
Answer: (M) A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated

3. penchant
Answer: (N) A strong or habitual liking for something

4. adventurous
Answer: (F) Willing to take risks or try out new methods, ideas, or experiences

5. questionable
Answer: (H) Doubtful in terms of truth or reliability

6. equipped
Answer: (C) Supplied with the necessary items for a particular purpose

7. emerged
Answer: (I) Came into view or became visible

8. puny
Answer: (A) Small and weak

9. suspicious
Answer: (B) Having or showing a cautious distrust of someone or something

10. challenge
Answer: (K) A task or situation that tests someone’s abilities

11. riddle
Answer: (J) A question or statement intentionally phrased to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer or meaning

12. surprisingly
Answer: (G) In an unexpected manner

13. adorned
Answer: (E) Decorated or made more beautiful

14. teamwork
Answer: (L) The combined action of a group, especially when effective and efficient

15. forged
Answer: (D) Created or formed, especially by means of a particular process
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was the name of the crab guarding the treasure?
Answer: (b) Captain Pinch

2. What did the friends bring with them on their adventure?
Answer: (a) Peanut butter sandwiches

3. What was Captain Pinch’s challenge to the friends?
Answer: (a) A riddle

4. What was the answer to Captain Pinch’s riddle?
Answer: (c) A computer

5. What did the friends decide to do with the treasure they found?
Answer: (d) Build a playground

6. How did the friends feel about Captain Pinch by the end of the story?
Answer: (c) They considered him a friend

7. What lesson did the friends learn from their adventure?
Answer: (b) The importance of friendship and sharing

8. What did Captain Pinch promise to do after the treasure was found?
Answer: (d) Be the playground’s official guardian
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The main characters in the story are three friends named Milo, Tessa, and Pedro. (Answer: True)
2. The friends use a metal detector, a magnifying glass, and peanut butter sandwiches on their adventure. (Answer: True)
3. The story emphasizes the importance of friendship and sharing, as the friends form a bond with Captain Pinch. (Answer: True)
4. Instead of taking the treasure for themselves, the friends decide to use it to build a playground for their village. (Answer: True)
5. Captain Pinch tests the friends with a riddle to see if they are worthy. (Answer: False)
6. The story unfolds in a large city far from the sea, where a rumor about buried treasure circulates. (Answer: False)
7. Pedro inaccurately responds to the riddle presented by Captain Pinch, resulting in no change in the crab’s behavior. (Answer: False)
8. Captain Pinch is a cheerful crab who overlooks the treasure hidden in Sunstone Cove. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧