In a time before the world was fully formed, the Eldest Magician prepared the Earth and Sea, inviting all animals to play. Each creature was assigned a role, but Pau Amma the Crab chose to scuttle away into the sea, refusing to obey the commands of the Son of Adam. As the Eldest Magician checked on the animals, he discovered that the Sea was misbehaving, flooding the land and disrupting the Man's home. To address this, the Eldest Magician and the Man, accompanied by the Man's daughter, set out in a canoe to confront the Sea. They called upon the animals, the Moon, and even a Rat in the Moon, but none were responsible for the Sea's antics. The little girl pointed out that Pau Amma had not been given a role, leading the Eldest Magician to seek him out. Upon finding Pau Amma, the Eldest Magician learned that the Crab had been causing the tides by going out for food and returning, which disturbed the balance of the Sea. Pau Amma, upon being confronted, realized his importance in the ecosystem but was reluctant to change his ways. The Eldest Magician offered him a choice: to remain soft and vulnerable or to have a hard shell again, with the condition that he would only venture out once a day and night. Pau Amma hesitated, wanting to retain his power and safety. The Eldest Magician, however, proposed to create safe havens for Pau Amma and his offspring in the sea. Pau Amma eventually agreed to the terms, accepting the gifts offered by the Eldest Magician, the Man, and the little girl. He shrank down to a smaller size, becoming a common crab, capable of living both on land and in the sea. The Eldest Magician then established the tides, ensuring that the Sea would rise and fall, allowing the lazy Man to avoid paddling. This established a balance in nature, with Pau Amma's descendants continuing to thrive in their new roles. The story concludes with a reminder of Pau Amma's lesson about humility and the importance of playing one's part in the world.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1885 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Mythology