Alex and the Mystery at the Beach

A boy alone on a deserted beach spots a suspicious boat — and stumbles into something he was never meant to see.

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It was just after six o'clock when Alex reached the deserted beach. Picking up a pebble, he ran to the edge of the water and hurled it into the sea, watching it make several small splashes.

Just then, Alex noticed a boat in the distance heading towards him. He was surprised. Few boats came to that part of the beach. Feeling curious yet wary, Alex hurriedly hid behind some rocks. After some time, he heard voices. Through a jagged gap between the rocks, Alex saw a tall burly man leap off the boat with a heavy sack on his back. Another man, much smaller in size, handed him a spade before jumping down from the boat as well. After glancing around furtively, he followed the first man up the beach.

The taller man found a spot on the beach and began digging a hole in the sand while his companion kept a lookout. Alex tried to keep very still. Suddenly, something slimy crawled over his left foot causing him to jump up and yelp in fright. The men dropped everything and rushed towards him. The taller of the two grabbed his arm. Alex struggled violently. Once he managed to break free, he sprinted towards his house, shouting, "Bob! Bob!"

A dark shape appeared, accompanied by ferocious barking. The men immediately ran to their boat, snatching up the heavy sack along the way.

Vocabulary

deserted

empty, with no people around

"Alex reached the deserted beach just after six o'clock."

hurled

threw something with great force

"He hurled the pebble into the sea."

wary

cautious, slightly suspicious and on guard

"Feeling curious yet wary, Alex hid behind some rocks."

jagged

having sharp, uneven, pointed edges

"He peeped through a jagged gap between the rocks."

burly

large, heavy, and strong

"A tall burly man leaped off the boat."

furtively

secretly and nervously, as if not wanting to be seen

"After glancing around furtively, he followed the first man."

ferocious

very fierce and frightening

"A dark shape appeared, accompanied by ferocious barking."

Characters

AlexA curious and quick-thinking boy who keeps his head under pressure

BobAlex's dog, who comes running when called and scares the men away

Event Order

1Just after six o'clock, Alex arrives at the deserted beach and throws a pebble into the sea

2He spots a boat heading towards him and hides behind some rocks

3A tall burly man leaps off the boat with a heavy sack; a smaller man hands him a spade and follows

4The smaller man glances around furtively before following the taller man up the beach

5The taller man digs a hole; the smaller man keeps watch

6Something slimy crawls over Alex's foot — he jumps up and yelps

7The men rush at Alex; the taller one grabs his arm

8Alex struggles, breaks free, and sprints home calling 'Bob! Bob!'

9Bob arrives with ferocious barking — the men flee to their boat, sack in hand