"Why To Be Careful Of Oysters"

By Sara Tall

My name is Todd and my favorite things are oysters.

I know oysters are eatable.

I think oysters are cool.

You can find them in a tide pool.

Not as big as my hand.

But a good size.

I opened one up and found a surprise!

A little pearl tucked up inside.

This thing could actually be worth something!

I thought as I felt the shell all ruff and tuff.

I found this out by accident

I opened a oyster to eat the inside.

I almost died when I coughed out my surprise!

It got stuck in my throat,

I was about to choke!

I often wonder if when the oysters suck the passing water in.

And then push it out again.

If they collect the nasty stuff in the water.

Could kill the people who eat them, like a cow being slaughtered

Would you die one the spot.

Or have your insides rot?

I hope they clean them really well.

I would never eat them even if someone said they were real swell!

When I go to the tide pools I look to see if I can find one of these things.

I look for there ruff shells with the colors all over.

But all I see is the pollution and junk.

So I give up and hope for better luck.

Next time you eat an oyster please be ware,

there could be a pearl stuck up in there.

All photos were found at ^www.maestrosvp.com/body_oyster_pictures.html^