The Terrible Tide

I went to go to the seaside,
I know it’s lovely there
I wanted the waves to tickle my toes
& the breeze to blow my hair
I dug a great big hole in the sand
& paddled all along
But suddenly I noticed
That there was something wrong!

When I started playing
The sea was far away
You had to run to get to it
It was a long long way
But now it was getting closer
It was louder all the time
I thought it was coming to get me
& I might have to climb!

I shouted to my Mummy:
"Quick Mum get out the way!
The sea is coming to get you
It must be cross today
It’s tired with people splashing it
& it wants to splash them too
Oh quickly, Mummy quickly
Before it can get you!"

"I don’t want the sea to catch us
It’s so much bigger than me
It’s so much bigger than everyone
That great big wavy sea
With waves that come & splash you
& sharks & monsters too
Oh please don’t let it catch us
Run, Mummy do!"

I don’t think I like the seaside
It’s dangerous out there
I don’t want crabs to nip my toes
Or jellyfish in my hair
I don’t like the smell of the seaweed
& things that scratch my feet
I don’t like sand in my sandwiches
That makes them hard to eat!

My Mum said: " Wait don’t panic!
Please don’t make a din
The sea isn’t coming to get you
It’s just the tide coming in
The sea comes in & out each day
& then again at night
It’s completely natural
So please don’t get a fright!"

"The water comes in & out each day
It’s something to do with the moon
Yes it’s getting closer
But it won’t reach us soon
Look, here is the high tide mark
That’s as far as it will go
There’s nothing to be frightened of
& it is very slow"

"It’s a good thing that this happens
It helps to keep things clean
It makes home for many creatures
Can you see what I mean
But you must be careful
It still could catch you out
If you get stuck somewhere silly
You’ll have to wait for it to go back out!"

"People might have to rescue you
The life boat may come out
But you’re safe here on the beach with me
There’s no need to shout
Of course the sea can be dangerous
You always should take care
But you’ll be completely safe
As long as I am there!"

I really like the seaside
It is so lovely there
I like the waves to tickle my toes
& the breeze to blow my hair
I like to look at sea shells
& things brought in by the waves
But I always go with mummy
So I know that I’ll be safe!