nature animals · Ages 6-8

The Octopus That Opened a Jar From the Inside

An octopus uses flexible arms, strong suckers, and problem-solving to explore objects and squeeze through surprising spaces.

The whole story

1. At morning tide, a young common octopus with warm rust-orange skin covered in small cream spots, large golden-brown eyes with dark pupils, and eight flexible arms explored a rocky tide pool. A small pale-blue shell rested beneath one arm.

2. Then the octopus found a clear glass jar between two rocks. Its cork lid was shut tight. Inside lay a shiny red bead.

3. The octopus pulled the jar with two arms. It pushed with two more. The jar did not budge, and the bead winked from inside.

4. The octopus examined the lid. Its suckers clung to the cork like tiny cups. Pulling was hard, but thinking was possible.

5. One arm slipped into the narrow gap. Another arm held the jar steady. A third arm pressed the cork from below.

6. The octopus pushed, twisted, and held on. Its arms bent in ways a hand could not. At last, the cork tilted.

7. The lid popped open. The octopus reached inside and curled one arm around the red bead. The jar had become a doorway.

8. The octopus squeezed through the jar's mouth, though its arms seemed far too many. Flexible arms, strong suckers, and a clever plan had made room.

9. The octopus tucked the bead beside its shell. Then it noticed a tiny tunnel beneath a rock. There was always another space to explore.

10. The octopus slipped toward the tunnel, ready to investigate. With flexible arms, strong suckers, and a clever mind, it could explore objects and squeeze through surprising spaces.

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