Read the excerpt from "The Crab That Played with the

Sea."

Before the High and Far-Off Times, O my Best

Beloved, came the Time of the Very Beginnings; and

that was in the days when the Eldest Magician was

getting Things ready. First he got the Earth ready; then

he got the Sea ready; and then he told all the Animals

that they could come out and play. And the Animals

said, 'O Eldest Magician, what shall we play at?' and

he said, 'I will show you. He took the Elephant-All-

the-Elephant-there-was-and said, 'Play at being an

Elephant,' and All-the-Elephant-there-was played. He

took the Beaver-All-the-Beaver-there-was-and said,

'Play at being a Beaver,' and All-the Beaver-there-was

played. He took the Cow-All-the-Cow-there-was-

and said, 'Play at being a Cow,' and All-the-Cow-

there-was played. He took the Turtle-All-the-Turtle-

there-was-and said. 'Plav at being a Turtle.' and All-

Based on the details in the excerpt, what is its primary

purpose?

to inform

to describe

to persuade

to entertain