Mabel the Rescue Boat

A small rescue boat sets out in the fog to guide lost fishermen home.

Mabel the crab was a small orange rescue boat who lived in a tiny harbour. She wasn’t fast or big. But she had a very loud horn and a very bright lamp.

One afternoon, thick fog rolled in. White mist covered the sea like a blanket. Out on the water, Tessa the tiger was coming home with barrels of herring, but could not see the shore.

β€˜I must help!’ said Mabel. Isaac the pony called from the lighthouse, β€˜It’s dangerous out there.’ But Mabel switched on the lamp and puttered into the fog.

Toot, toot! Toot, toot! Mabel sounded the horn. In the grey mist, Tessa heard it. β€˜There!’ she cried, and steered towards the sound. The two boats met in the middle of the sea.

Mabel led the way back, horn tooting, lamp shining. The lighthouse beam swept through the mist to guide them in. At last, the harbour appeared, and everyone cheered.

That night, Tessa tied up beside Mabel. β€˜You may be small,’ she said, β€˜but you saved us.’ Mabel blew a happy toot. The fog was gone, and the stars were out.

πŸ’‘

The little lesson

Small things can do big, brave jobs.

Let’s talk about it

  • How did the fishermen find the way?
  • Why was Mabel brave?

Finish stories to collect Mabel as a sticker in your Sticker Book.

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