One fine summer's day, Sebastian and his mother went to the beach.

They were planning to enjoy a picnic lunch, make sandcastles, and swim in the ocean.

Sebastian loved doing all of these activities, and his mother was the best cook that he

knew.

They were going to have food that they didn't usually eat on their picnic.

Sebastian decided that he wanted to play on the beach before he ate.

All right, said his mom, just stay where I can see you.

Sebastian kicked off his shoes and began to walk down the beach.

He enjoyed the feeling of the warm sand on his feet.

He hadn't gone very far when he saw a small group of men looking around the sand on their

hands and knees.

As Sebastian got closer, he noticed the men had large, shacky beards and wore gold hoops

in their ears.

One of them was even walking with a wooden leg, and another had a small parrot perched

on his shoulder.

Sebastian realized they were pirates.

Wow, Sebastian had only ever read about pirates in his story books and seen them in the movies.

He'd never actually met one in real life before.

Hello, said Sebastian nervously, unsure of how the pirates would react.

He hoped they would be nice and not want to do something to him, like make him walk

the plank just for their entertainment.

Hello, said one of the pirates.

...