Octavia Octopus swam quickly to the Coral Reef Stage. Today was the first day of practice for the annual Christmas play. She could hardly wait! It was her favorite time of the year.

All the sea creatures were there when Octavia arrived. She settled into a seat on the sandy bottom of the sea next to Stanton Starfish.

“Merry Christmas!” Mr. and Mrs. Sea Turtle called from the stage.

Mrs. Sea Turtle smiled. “It's time to assign everyone's parts for the play.”

Mr. Sea Turtle held up a list. “The first part is the Christmas angel. Stanton Starfish will be the angel.”< P> “Hey!” Stanton Starfish shouted. “I don't want to be the angel! I want to be the Christmas star.” Stanton stretched out his five yellow arms. “See? I'd make a perfect star.”

“I want to be the angel!” Angela Angelfish protested. < P> “But you can't,” Mr. Sea Turtle explained. “You're supposed to be the donkey.” He pointed to his paper. “It's on the list.”

Just then, Sergio Sea Horse swam up to the stage. “I want to be the donkey,” he said. “I'd be great for the part.”

Mr. Sea Turtle waved the list. “Quiet, everyone! The parts are already assigned. Stanton Starfish will be the angel. Angela Angelfish will be the donkey. Sergio Sea Horse will be the star. Baby Crab will be baby Jesus.” Mr. Sea Turtle paused. He smiled. “Mrs. Sea Turtle and I will play Mary and Joseph,” he said.

“I don't want to be the baby!” Baby Crab shouted.

“I want to be the angel!” Angel Angelfish shouted.

“I'd make a perfect star!” Stanton Starfish shouted.

Soon all the sea creatures were arguing about which part they wanted to be in the play. Everyone circled around Mr. and Mrs. Sea Turtle, shouting and complaining-everyone except Octavia Octopus. She sat in her seat, tentacles drooping.

“It doesn't sound like there's a part for me this year,” Octavia whispered. She swam slowly away from the coral reef and hid in a nearby cave. Looking out from the cave, Octavia sighed. She could still hear the loud, angry voices. This is terrible, she thought. This isn't what the Christmas play is all about!

Suddenly a big, dark shadow passed over the cave. Octavia Octopus looked up. A shark! And it was headed straight for the Coral Reef Stage!

The shark's shadow passed over the stage. All the sea creatures looked up. “Shark!” everyone cried.

Heart pounding, Octavia pushed herself out of the cave. Shooting out like a rocket, she blasted in front of the shark. Octavia let out a dark purple cloud of ink. The ink settled over the stage, hiding Octavia and her friends in darkness.

All the sea creatures stopped shouting. They hid quietly beneath the cloud of ink. After several minutes, the ink disappeared. Octavia looked around. The shark was gone!

“Three cheers for Octavia!” Mr. Sea Turtle cried. “You saved the day!”

“Hip, hip, hooray!” The sea creatures gathered around Octavia and thanked her.

“You're welcome,” Octavia said. “It was no trouble.” Then she turned to swim away.

“Where are you going?” Mr. Sea Turtle called. He waved his list. “It's time to practice for the Christmas play.”

“It doesn't sound like there's a part for me this year,” Octavia said. She swam back to her cave and went inside.

Octavia closed her eyes. She tried to take a nap, but she felt too sad. Then she heard a noise. Could it be another shark? Heart pounding, Octavia opened her eyes.

No, it wasn't a shark. All her sea friends were gathered outside her cave!

Stanton Starfish was the first to speak. “After you saved us from the shark, we stopped shouting and complaining.”

“We started talking instead,” Baby Crab said.

“We realized we weren't even thinking about how special and important the Christmas play was,” Angela Angelfish said.

“All we wanted to do was be special and important ourselves,” Sergio Sea Horse admitted.

“You not only saved the day,” Mr. Sea Turtle said. “You saved the Christmas play!” He held up his list. “Everyone agreed to work together.” Octavia smiled.

“And we all took a vote,” Mrs. Sea Turtle explained. She nudged Mr. Sea Turtle. “Read your new list!” Mr. Sea Turtle read from the very bottom. “The best part in the whole play is assigned to Octavia Octopus.” He looked up and smiled. “You get to be the shepherd who tells everyone the good news!”

That year the Christmas play was a total success. Stanton Starfish was the Christmas star. Angela Angelfish dressed up in wings of gold and made a beautiful angel. With her fine singing voice, she sang “Gloria” loud and clear. Baby Crab lay in the manger, while Mr. and Mrs. Sea Turtle looked on and Sergio Sea Horse brayed in the background. All worked together and performed their parts with hearts that were helpful and true.

When the play was over, Octavia Octopus stood on the stage dressed in her shepherd costume. She shared the good news of Christmas to all who were watching. All the sea creatures agreed. It was the best Christmas play ever.