Little Bill darts across the hot sand, his eyes wide with terror and his heart pounding like a drum. He glances over his shoulder, convinced he saw a hulking, shadowy figure rise from the waves. Seagulls scatter, startled by his cries as he races toward the parking lot.
"Help! There's a monster on the beach!" he shouts, his voice shaky.
Geo Umizoomi, always ready to solve a problem, approaches Little Bill with concern. "What happened, Little Bill? Why are you so scared?" Little Bill gulps, trying to catch his breath, and describes the strange, monstrous figure he saw by the water.
"It was huge, and it had big, glowing eyes! I think it was coming after me!"
Geo Umizoomi scans the area with their gadgets, searching for clues. The wind picks up, rustling the beach grass and making shadows dance. "Let's look for evidence. Maybe we can figure out what scared you," says Geo, encouraging Little Bill to join in the search.
Little Bill hesitates but follows, his curiosity slowly overcoming his fear.
Sammy, a mischievous friend from the neighborhood, steps out with a sheepish grin. "Sorry, Little Bill! I thought it would be funny to play a prank. I didn't mean to scare you so much," Sammy admits, shaking the mask.
Little Bill stares in disbelief, then relief washes over his face as he realizes the monster was just Sammy in disguise.
"See, Little Bill? Sometimes things aren't as scary as they seem," Geo says kindly, patting him on the back. Little Bill laughs along with everyone, feeling safe and supported by his friends.
"Next time, I'll make sure my pranks are less spooky!" Sammy promises, and the group heads off to enjoy the rest of the sunny day together.
Little Bill and Geo Umizoomi build sandcastles, their spirits lifted and their friendship strengthened. The once frightening memory fades, replaced by joy and gratitude for friends who help each other.
"Thanks, Geo. I couldn't have figured it out without you," says Little Bill, smiling wide as the sun dips toward the horizon.
