Willow's River House

Mark and Jamie were dropped off at their houses before the Davises turned into their own driveway. Once they had unpacked the car, Willow asked her parents if she could ride her bike to the park where Jeff played basketball.

“We just got home, Willow. Why don’t you come in and relax. We’ll make some sandwiches for lunch,” Mrs. Davis answered.

“I just want to ride my bike for awhile. I’m not even hungry,” Willow pleaded.

“All right, but don’t stay out too long,” her mother finally agreed.

Willow took the ice chest and tied it to her handlebars. The hermit crabs were still moving around when she arrived at the park. It didn’t take long before she had a crowd of kids looking at the unusual creatures. She had decided to sell them for $2.00 each. That was $1.00 less than the souvenir shop, but she would still make $20.00.

It wasn’t long before she had sold all ten crabs. She explained to each person that bought one how to take care of it using the example she had seen in the store. Little Freddy Wilson had even bought three of them with some birthday money he had received. Willow arrived home with $20.00 in her pocket.

Willow decided to surprise everyone at supper that night. She placed the money in an envelope when she got home. She was putting her clothes away when she heard the phone ring.

“Willow,” her mother called. “Do you know anything about some hermit crabs?”

Willow felt her body tense up. Oh no, she thought, now what? “I guess so,” she answered weakly. She walked into the kitchen.

“This is Freddy Wilson’s mom. She says you sold him some water hermit crabs instead of land hermit crabs. They’ve died, and he is upset and crying.”

Willow couldn’t say a word. Honestly, she didn’t know there were different kinds of hermit crabs. All of a sudden she realized her well made plans were dying, just like those poor hermit crabs.