Do you want to see me make the biggest sandcastle in the world asked Chuck It was the next day just before dinner time and he was talking to Stella as the two birds lay on the beach in the evening sun Not much teased Stella who knew Chuck loved a chance to show off It had been a bright summer’s day and after a long shift of guarding the nest they both fancied chilling out by the sea Oh I get it you want to see me dig the biggest hole in the world And then jump in it suggested Stella Chuck frowned He had been trying to impress Stella ever since they got to the beach but nothing 8
seemed to work If only we had a boat here he said Then I could show off my seamanship Captain Chuck my friends call me Well it’s your lucky day said Stella sitting up Ship ahoy Chuck turned Skimming across the waves towards them was a little boat It was pale green old and weathered as if it had seen many storms An abandoned boat said Stella jumping up It must have drifted from somewhere Let’s get on board Ha ha chuckled Chuck loudly Good old Stella always full of jokes I’m not joking said Stella Come on Captain Chuck With a groan Chuck followed her as she went to stop the drifting boat But it might belong to someone Chuck said Then we can take it back to them said Stella Chuck just managed to jump in without tipping it up There was a paddle in the bottom so he picked it up in his beak and began to row Stella lay back and shut her eyes You’re doing a great job Chuck she said Chuck was puzzled He had been trying to paddle the other way He liked to stay near the beach The boat was still heading far out onto the waves Err Stella 9
Don’t bother me Chuck I’m chilling Chuck shrugged Maybe he was doing a great job Perhaps he should just go with the flow He kept paddl ing and lost all sense of time After a while the weather began to change A cloud passed over the sun Stella frowned Might be time to get back she said opening her eyes and sitting up Maybe we should Then she stared around her wide-eyed CHUCK Where the heck have you taken me They surveyed the horizon As far as the eye could see there was no land in sight They were lost at sea and night was fall ing 10
chapter two Chuck looked around trying not to seem fright ened Wow Stuck on a boat at sea in the dark This is so err cool Yeah said Stella trying not to panic Super cool They both sat for a few seconds wondering how cool it was Then in a small voice Chuck said Shall I start shouting for help They looked at each other for a moment in silence HE-E-E-ELP they roared Suddenly Stella noticed something Look over there through the mist she cried Some kind of island A big shape loomed up through the foggy moonlight We’re saved yelled Chuck We can build a hut And catch fish And have a barbecue Err Chuck A chilly blast of wind had blown 11
