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On a bright afternoon beach, Clifford stands on dry golden sand, shaking his head with a wary grin while two other seagulls flap and splash in the sun-lit shallow surf nearby.
Clifford was the smartest seagull on the beach. He could spot fish from high in the sky and knew the best spots for french fries. But Clifford had one big problem. He did not like getting his bum wet! While other seagulls splashed and dove into the waves, Clifford stayed on the warm, dry sand. His friends teased him gently. "Come swim with us!" they called. But Clifford just shook his head and stayed safe on shore.
At the receding shoreline on a humid morning, Clifford perches beside Stella the crab, both staring at unusually high, warm waves that swallow the shrinking strip of sand as distant fish leap away.
One day, Clifford noticed something strange. The waves were bigger and warmer than before. The beach was getting smaller too. His friend Stella the crab was worried. "My home keeps flooding," she said sadly. The fish were swimming to cooler water far away. Clifford wanted to help, but how? He watched from the sand, thinking hard. He was smart and knew something had to be done. But investigating meant getting close to the water.
Under clear noon light, Clifford spreads his wings wide on the dry beach next to Stella the crab, determination shining in his eyes as he braces to launch skyward from the sun-baked sand.
Clifford had an idea! If he flew out over the water, he could see where his fish friends went. Maybe he could guide them to better spots near shore. But wait—what if he had to land on the water? His bum would get wet! Clifford looked at worried Stella. He thought about his hungry seagull friends. "Sometimes being brave means doing scary things," he told himself. He spread his wings wide. "I can do this!" Clifford called out.
In the sparkling midday ocean, Clifford splashes joyfully after landing in the cool waves, water dripping from his soaked tail as he laughs near a rocky tide pool where Stella the crab watches gratefully.
Clifford flew far over the ocean. He found the fish in cooler, deeper water. As he guided them back, he got tired. Splash! Down he went, right into the waves. His bum got completely wet! But you know what? It felt nice and cool! Clifford laughed and splashed with joy. He helped Stella find a new home in a protected tide pool. Now Clifford swims every day, helping his friends watch for changes. Being brave felt wonderful!