She picked it up from the seashore. br He encouraged her, br Flattered her with indulgence br To bring back her dying flame. br A girl once again, br She brought it home br In whimsically ebullient innocence! br On the polished floor br In a faraway city br It found it hard to walk br With the load of mollusk br And made a funny sight! br It strained its ears br But there was no sound of the sea, br No saline smell in the air, br Instead the water was sweet and insipid. br It went thirsty. br The food was alien, br It went hungry. br Soon they polished the shell br And celebrated addition of br Another showpiece in their room! br The crab had at last br Found a new home.