The morning currents carried the smell of sweet coral cakes through Seastar Lagoon.
Marina and her friends followed the delicious scent straight to Captain Crabby’s Bakery Booth in the coral courtyard.
Captain Crabby stood behind a table stacked with trays of cookies, pies, and seaweed muffins. He puffed out his chest proudly.
“Big day today!” he grumbled cheerfully. “The Festival of Glimmering Fins Bake-Off starts at sunset! And I’m going to win this year.”
Coralina twirled her tail. “Your jelly pies look amazing!”
Finley licked his lips. “And they smell even better.”
Sir Bubblesworth adjusted his bow tie. “Ahem. Quite a display of pastry perfection.”
Captain Crabby’s claws snapped together. “Hands—er, fins—off! No samples before judging!”
Marina giggled. “We wouldn’t dream of it.”
But she couldn’t help noticing Captain Crabby’s claws were shaking as he lifted a tray.
“You okay, Captain?” she asked.
“Of course I’m okay!” he said quickly. “Just… these claws of mine are a bit clumsy today. Happens when I’m nervous.”
A Sticky Situation
By afternoon, the courtyard bustled with mermaids and sea creatures setting up booths for the festival.
Captain Crabby arranged his pies carefully on a coral table. But as he turned to get more from the oven—
CRASH!
Three trays slid off the edge and splattered into the sand!
“My pies!” he shouted. “My beautiful jelly pies!”
Marina rushed over. “Oh no! Don’t worry, we’ll help!”
Finley tried to lift a tray, but the crust was too slippery.
Coralina grabbed a spatula, but it stuck to her tail fin.
Sir Bubblesworth puffed up and shouted, “Emergency dessert disaster!”
Captain Crabby moaned. “The judges will be here in one hour! What am I gonna do?”
Marina’s pearl necklace began to glow. She looked around at her friends.
“Don’t panic! We can fix this. Let’s make new pies together!”
Captain Crabby blinked. “You? Bake?”
Marina smiled shyly. “With a little magic.”
Teamwork Baking Time
They hurried inside the coral kitchen. Flour shells and sugar sand sparkled in the water.
Captain Crabby grumbled but handed out jobs.
“Finley, stir the batter! Coralina, get the fruit jelly! Sir Bubblesworth—don’t puff near the oven!”
Marina floated nearby, using gentle bubble magic to lift mixing bowls and spoons.
“Wow!” Finley said. “You’re like a baking wizard!”
Marina giggled. “Or a bubble baker!”
But just as she tried to float a tray into the oven, her magic made it spin too fast.
SPLAT! Batter splashed across Captain Crabby’s shell!
He blinked, dripping with pink jelly. “Ahem. Perhaps… slow and steady, kid.”
Marina blushed. “Oops! Sorry!”
Coralina laughed. “At least you’re sweet now, Captain!”
Claws to the Rescue
Finally, the pies were ready — golden brown and glowing.
But when Captain Crabby tried to pick them up, his claws shook again.
“I can’t do it!” he said. “I’ll drop them for sure.”
Marina thought quickly. “Let’s use both our strengths! I’ll float the trays, and you guide them.”
Together, they lifted the pies — her bubbles steadying the weight, his claws steering carefully.
“Easy… easy…” Captain Crabby whispered.
“Almost there!” Marina said.
They placed the pies safely on the table, just as the judges — a trio of elegant starfish — floated in.
The Bake-Off
The starfish judges tasted each dish carefully.
When they reached Captain Crabby’s booth, they took one bite and smiled.
“Delicious!” said the first.
“Perfectly baked!” said the second.
“Sweet and sparkly flavor!” said the third.
Captain Crabby’s claws trembled with pride. “All thanks to my… um… assistant bakers.”
Finley grinned. “Team Bubble Bakers, at your service!”
The judges placed a golden ribbon on the table.
“First Place – Best Teamwork!”
Captain Crabby looked at Marina. “Guess I couldn’t have done it without you, kid.”
Marina beamed. “We make a great team. Your claws aren’t clumsy — they’re just unique!”
He chuckled. “Maybe I’ll start a new recipe book: Captain Crabby and the Bubble Bakers!”
The Sweetest Ending
That evening, everyone celebrated under the glowing lanterns.
The scent of jelly pies filled the water again, and this time, Captain Crabby proudly shared slices with everyone.
Marina took a small bite and smiled.
“This tastes like teamwork.”
Captain Crabby nodded. “And a pinch of magic.”
Finley floated upside down, happily chewing.
Sir Bubblesworth wiped his fins daintily. “Ahem. Divine.”
Coralina laughed. “Next year, we’re entering together again!”
Marina’s pearl necklace glowed warmly as she looked at her friends.
Helping others — that was her favorite kind of magic.
⭐ Follow-Up Questions
1️⃣ What problem did Captain Crabby have at the start of the story?
2️⃣ How did Marina use her magic to help him?
3️⃣ What did everyone learn about teamwork?
