How Sammy Went to Coral-Land
by Emily Paret Atwater
How Sammy Went to Coral-Land is a children’s short story about a salmon named Sammy who has grand adventures when he swims to Coral-Land alone. The story deals with bravery, danger, and finding out what you want is right in front of you.
Source: Atwater, E.P. (1920). How Sammy Went to Coral-Land. Philadelphia: George W. Jacobs and Co.
- Introduction
- Grandma and the children are at the beach. She agrees to tell the children a “true” story.
- Chapter 1
- The author talks about Sammy, a salmon, Aunt Sheen, the oldest and largest fish, and several other varieties of fish in the water. Aunt Sheen warns Sammy not to swim alone, but to travel in a pack of other fish. Sammy disobeys her and swims off looking for adventure. He continues on away from the river and into the ocean.
- Chapter 2
- Sammy begins to notice the different types of aquatic animals around him. Suddenly he is spied by a large shark. He is chased until he is able to hide in a rock formation. There, he meets a hermit crab.
- Chapter 3
- Sammy’s instinct told him that the hermit crab wants him for dinner and excuses himself. Sammy meets a starfish named Meteor and agrees to go to Coral-Land with the pilot fish.
- Chapter 4
- The readers learn some interesting information about pilot fish and sharks. Soon, Sammy and the pilot fish see some flying fish and swim away from a swordfish.
- Chapter 5
- Sammy arrives at Coral-Land. The readers learn intersting facts about anemones. Sammy, too, learns the wonders and the mysteries of Coral-Land. Upon learning this, he joins a school of salmon and swims home.