It had been a day of backpacking and spearfishing. After setting up camp and making dinner, we went down to the beach to relax as the sun was going down. We were greeted by a very unique spiney lobster sitting on a rock.
“Welcome, subjects! Quickly – what have you brought in offering in exchange for my audience?”
In my best old English I told him we were but weary travelers who have arrived nothing more than what we can carry on our backs.
The Lobster King insisted, “I always graciously provide audience to my subjects, but none are permitted refuge on these shores without an offering. That is just unheard of!”
One of our party ran back to camp and returned with the well-picked fish bones from our dinner and presented them to the king. He gave a great belly laugh. “Wonderful!” he said. “Jewelry for my queen! She will be quite pleased!”
We returned to camp laughing. That was the cutest lobster we’d ever seen.
Location: Little Harbor Beach, Santa Catalina Island, California