5. The Professor Finds the Answer

"Hello Curly. Hello Boysie. I saw you through my new telescope."

"Hello Professor," says Curly. "We hoped you could help us?"

The friends sit down and tell the Professor what the crab told them.

The Professor rubs his chin. "I don't know how the sea can disappear. I must look through my telescope."

A moment later he says, "You're right. The tide should be in by now. I wonder what is happening. If the sea disappears there will be nowhere for all the fish to live."

"What can we do?" asks Curly. "Have you any ideas?"

The Professor looks through his telescope again and sees something. "Ah ha!" he says, "I think I see what is happening."

"What is it?" asks Curly. "What have you seen?"

"The river is flowing backwards. Take a look."

Curly looks through the telescope. "Oh yes. The river is taking the water out of the sea."

"What can we do?" asks Curly.

"I will talk to some other professors to see if they can think of anything," says the Professor.

"What can we do to help?" asks Curly.

"Grimblegrot will fly you to the river in my helicopter," says the Professor. "I will come and see you off. If you start looking for clues, I will try to meet you later."