The Mysterious Pouch

The reef shimmered gently in the morning light as Ollie swam past a patch of swaying seaweed.

“Hmm, what’s this?” he said, spotting a strange, dark pouch tangled in the kelp. It was twisty and leathery, with curly tendrils at the corners.

Marina zipped over, her eyes wide. “It looks like… a bag?”

Kai drifted close, inspecting it with a knowing look. “That’s not a bag—it’s a shark egg. We call it a

mermaid’s purse

. Some sharks lay them instead of giving birth.”

Ollie tilted his head. “So there’s a baby shark inside?”

Just then, the pouch gave a tiny twitch. Everyone leaned in as the top wriggled open—and out popped a tiny, sleepy-eyed shark pup!

The baby shark blinked at the bright water, then curled back into the pouch. “It’s too big out here,” he whispered. “I liked it inside.”

Marina smiled gently. “It’s okay. The ocean

can

feel big. But you’re not alone.”

“We’ll help you explore it, little one,” Kai added kindly. “At your own pace.”

Ollie gave the pup a name: “Sharklet.”

Sharklet peeked out again. He still looked unsure, but this time… he didn’t go back in.