Legend whispered of a magical place where the sand sparkled like diamonds. David, who loved stories almost as much as he loved dinosaurs, knew this place had to be real! He grabbed his magnifying glass (for extra-close examining, of course) and raced to the backyard. "Come on, Jacob!" he called to his goldfish. "We're going on an adventure!"
Now, Jacob wasn't your average goldfish. He was 54 years old (though nobody knew how he'd gotten so old!). He also loved food more than anything, especially the crackers David sprinkled in his tank. With a happy "blub, blub," Jacob watched David rummage through his toy chest.
"Aha!" David cried, pulling out a tattered pirate map. "This has to lead to that sparkly sand!"
He studied the map carefully. It showed a path leading from his backyard, past Mrs. Peterson's prize-winning petunias, and straight into... the park! David gasped. The sparkly sand was at the park?! He scooped up Jacob in his travel bowl (a coconut shell David had found) and they were off!
The park was bustling with families enjoying the sunny day. David, following the map's squiggly lines, dodged frisbees and jumped over picnic blankets. Finally, he reached a clump of trees he'd never noticed before. The air shimmered with an odd glow. Could this be it?
He pushed through the branches and gasped. It wasn't sparkly sand at all, but something even more incredible! Before him stretched a beach with waves that shimmered like rainbows. Giant, colorful butterflies fluttered overhead, and the trees were laden with fruit unlike anything he'd ever seen. It was...magical!
Suddenly, a voice squeaked, "Greetings, Earth-friend! Welcome to our humble planet!"
David spun around. Three little creatures, like colorful blobs of jelly with antennas, bobbed in the air. They giggled, shaking like bowls full of jelly.
"Your planet?" David asked. "This isn't the park?"
"Planet? Park?" The jiggling creatures exchanged confused looks. "This is our home, silly! We're the Galaxy Grubs!"
David's eyes widened. He was on another planet! He told the Grubs about the pirate map and the sparkly sand (which, it turned out, was just glitter a group of kids had spilled). The Grubs giggled so hard, they almost jiggled themselves apart.
They spent the afternoon playing games and eating the strange but delicious fruit. David learned that the Grubs traveled the galaxy, spreading laughter and good cheer. They were like the friendliest, funniest neighbors you could ask for, even if they did live on another planet!
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows on the beach, it was time for David to go. The Grubs promised to visit him on Earth sometime, maybe even try some of Jacob's fish food (though David wasn't sure how well that would go over).
Back in his room, David carefully placed the pirate map in his treasure box. It might not have led to sparkly sand, but it brought him something much better: new friends. And sometimes, the best adventures are the ones you least expect!
