Ahoy, Pirate Pals: The Great Rainbow Rescue!

**Pirate Pals and the Rainbow Shell Rescue**

Dot adjusted her pirate hat—a paper triangle she’d folded herself—and gave a big smile. “Ready to explore, Captain Beru?” she asked her best friend, a rottweiler with shiny black fur and a red bandana tied around his neck.

“Woof!” Beru barked, wagging his stubby tail.

The two pirate pals stood at the edge of their “ship,” a wooden plank balanced over a sandbox. Dot pretended to hold a telescope made of a cardboard tube. “Land ho! An island of treasure straight ahead!” she announced, pointing to a patch of grass by the sandbox.

The “island” was a little bumpy, with twigs sticking up like trees. Dot and Beru dug in the soft sand, using their hands and paws. Suddenly, Dot gasped. “Beru, look!”

She held up a shiny, rainbow-colored shell. It sparkled in the sunlight, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow. “This must be the ultimate pirate treasure!” Dot declared, holding it high.

But just as she did, a big gust of wind blew through the yard. “Oh no!” Dot cried as the shell flew out of her hands. It twirled through the air and landed—*plop!*—right in the pond nearby.

Beru barked and wagged his tail, ready for action. “Don’t worry, Beru,” Dot said, tying her pirate scarf tighter. “We’ll rescue the rainbow shell!”

At the edge of the pond, they spotted a little green frog sitting on a rock. “Ahoy there, Frog!” Dot called. “Have you seen a rainbow shell?”

“Ribbit!” said the frog, hopping toward the water. He stopped and looked at a spot just beneath the surface. Dot squinted. “I see it!”

Dot grabbed her fishing net—the one she used for scooping leaves out of the pond. Carefully, she and Beru worked together. Dot held the net, and Beru barked encouragement. She scooped once… missed. Scooped again… missed!

On the third try—*whoosh!*—the rainbow shell was in the net! “We did it, Beru!” Dot cheered, holding the treasure high. The frog gave a happy “ribbit!” as if clapping for them.

Dot and Beru returned to their sandbox island, the rainbow shell safe in a little treasure box. “Best rescue mission ever!” Dot said, patting Beru on the head.

“Woof!” Beru agreed.

And as the sun made the rainbow shell shimmer again, Dot smiled. Pirate pals always stick together—no matter what!