Beneath the ocean waves so blue,
Lives a world that's strange and new,
Full of creatures, strange and odd,
Like the arthropod.

The horseshoe crab with armor tough,
And larvae that like it rough,
They shed their skin to grow some more,
A process called a molt.

The tide comes in, the tide goes out,
It carries creatures all about,
Like the horseshoe crab, that ancient breed,
That's been around for eons, indeed.

But sometimes things can take a turn,
Disease can cause a creature to burn,
Or current strong can wash away,
The jetty where the crabs would play.

The water's power cannot be denied,
As it erodes the shore with tide,
But still, life persists and thrives,
And in the ocean, adventure thrives.

Reflections

1. What are some of the creatures that live under the ocean waves, and what are some of their unique characteristics?
2. What is molting, and why do some creatures need to do it?
3. How do tides and currents affect marine life, both positively and negatively?
4. How do you think we can help protect marine ecosystems and the creatures that live in them?
5. What do you think is the most interesting thing you learned about marine life from this story?