The Crabthat PlayedwiththeSea by Rudyard Kipling In the Time ofthe Very Beginning, the Eldest Magician was getting everything ready. He madethe Earthready andtheSea ready. When all was asitshould be, he called allthe Animals tocome out and play. "Whatshallwe play?" asked eachAnimal. "Play at being an Elephant," theEldestMagiciantoldthe Elephant. "Play atbeing a Turtle," hetoldthe Turtle. The Eldest Magician continuedtelling each Animal how he should play. As evening came, theManarrived withhissmallDaughter. "Whatisthisplay?" theManasked. "Itisthe play ofthe Very Beginning," said the Eldest Magician. "But youaretoowiseforthisplay." "Yes, Iam," saidtheMan. "Butmakesureallthe Animals are obedienttome." Nextin line was the Crab, who had grown tired and restless with all the waiting. He scuttled off sideways into the Sea, saying to himself, "I will play as I like, and I will not have to be obedient to the Man." No one saw the Crab go into the Sea except the D