Underwater treasure chest with sea creatures exploring what's inside.

Let’s think about this step by step.

The question is: “What’ in the treasure chest?” — which probably means “What’s in the treasure chest?”

Looking at the picture, we see:
- A big open treasure chest underwater.
- Around it are sea creatures: a fish, a narwhal (that’s the whale with the long tooth), an eel saying “Wow! Wat blinkt dat!” (which sounds like Dutch for “Wow! What’s shining there?”), and a seahorse.
- The eel is pointing toward the chest and seems surprised by something shiny inside.
- But… the chest is drawn as empty. There’s nothing actually drawn inside it.

So what could be in there?

Since this is a fun drawing and not a real photo, maybe the answer isn’t something you can see — maybe it’s something you have to imagine or guess based on clues.

Clue 1: The eel says “Wat blinkt dat?” → “What’s shining there?” So whatever is in the chest must be shiny.

Clue 2: It’s a treasure chest under the sea. Treasure chests usually hold gold, jewels, coins, pearls — things that sparkle.

Clue 3: The artist didn’t draw anything inside — so maybe they want YOU to decide what’s in there!

But since this is a homework task, there might be a trick or a joke.

Wait — look again at the title: “What’ in the treasure chest?” — notice the apostrophe after “What”. That’s unusual. Normally it’s “What’s” (short for “What is”). Here it’s written as “What’” — which might mean they’re leaving out the “s” on purpose.

Maybe the answer is hidden in the way the sentence is written.

Another idea: Maybe “What’” is meant to sound like “water”? Like, “Water in the treasure chest?” But that doesn’t make much sense — why would water be special?

Or… maybe it’s a pun. “What’” sounds like “what”, but if you say it fast, it could sound like “wet”? Still not quite right.

Let’s try another angle.

Look at the eel’s speech bubble: “Wow! Wat blinkt dat!”

“Wat” is Dutch for “what”.

“Blinkt” = shines

“Dat” = that

So he’s saying “Wow! What’s shining there?”

But here’s the key: He’s speaking Dutch. And the whole scene is underwater.

Now — what if the treasure chest contains… nothing? Because it’s already been looted? Or because it’s a trick?

But wait — maybe the answer is simpler.

Perhaps the artist wants us to realize that the chest is EMPTY — and that’s the joke.

But then why would the eel be excited?

Unless… the thing that’s shining is NOT inside the chest — but reflected from somewhere else?

No, that seems too complicated.

Let’s go back to basics.

In many children’s puzzles, when something looks empty but someone says “look at that shiny thing”, the answer is often “nothing” — because the shine is coming from outside, or it’s a mirror, or it’s just imagination.

But here’s a better idea:

What if the treasure chest contains… AIR?

Because it’s underwater, and the chest is open — so water should rush in… unless it’s full of air bubbles?

But that doesn’t fit “shiny”.

Wait — what if the shiny thing is… LIGHT?

Sunlight filtering down through the water? That can look sparkly.

Still not satisfying.

Let me try one more approach.

Maybe the answer is hidden in the drawing itself.

Look at the chest: it has two star-shaped decorations on the front.

And the lid is open.

Is there anything drawn INSIDE the chest? No.

But perhaps the “treasure” is the fact that it’s a drawing — and the real treasure is your imagination?

That’s poetic, but probably not what the teacher wants.

Hold on — let’s read the title again: “What’ in the treasure chest?”

If we ignore the apostrophe for a second, and think phonetically…

“What’” could be short for “What is” — but maybe it’s also meant to be read as “Watt”? Like electricity? No, that doesn’t fit.

Another thought: In some languages or dialects, “what’” might be slang — but I don’t think so.

Wait — what if it’s a typo? And it’s supposed to be “What’s” — and the answer is simply “gold” or “jewels”?

But again, nothing is drawn.

Perhaps the answer is “nothing” — and that’s the point.

But let’s consider the eel’s reaction: “Wow! Wat blinkt dat!” — he’s amazed by something shiny.

If the chest is empty, where is the shine coming from?

Unless… the shine is coming from the metal parts of the chest itself? The hinges? The lock?

Those are drawn with lines that suggest metallic texture — maybe they’re reflecting light.

So maybe the “treasure” is the chest’s own hardware?

Still feels weak.

Here’s a new idea:

What if the treasure chest contains… WATER?

Because it’s underwater, and when you open a chest underwater, water fills it — and water can shimmer and shine in sunlight.

And “water” starts with “w” — same as “what’” — maybe a play on words?

“What’” ≈ “water”?

Not really convincing.

Let’s try to search online or recall common riddles.

Actually — I remember a similar riddle: “What’s in the box?” with a picture of an empty box, and the answer is “air” or “nothing”.

But here, the eel is reacting to something shiny.

Another possibility: The shiny thing is the viewer’s reflection? Like, if you were looking at the chest, your face might reflect in the wet wood or metal?

Too abstract.

Wait — what if the answer is “pearls”?

Pearls are found underwater, they’re shiny, and they’re classic treasure.

But again, not drawn.

Perhaps the artist expects the student to write their own answer — like “I think there are diamonds inside!”

But since this is a structured problem, there must be a specific expected answer.

Let’s look at the very bottom left corner — there’s a small logo: “go” inside a circle. Probably the publisher or creator.

Doesn’t help.

One last try:

The title is “What’ in the treasure chest?”

If we take the apostrophe literally — it’s cutting off the word.

“What’” — missing the “s”.

So “What s” — rearrange those letters?

W-H-A-T-S → THAT’S?

“That’s in the treasure chest?” — still doesn’t give content.

Or “HATS W”? Nonsense.

Maybe it’s “WAT” — which is Dutch for “what”, and also sounds like “water”.

And “blinkt dat” — “shines that”.

So “Water shines that” — no.

Perhaps the answer is “light” — because light makes things shine.

But I’m going in circles.

Let me simplify.

Most likely, since nothing is drawn inside the chest, and the eel is excited about something shiny, the intended answer is probably:

Nothing — because the chest is empty, and the shine is from the sun or reflections.

But that feels unsatisfying.

Wait — what if the treasure is the sea creatures themselves? They’re around the chest, maybe they’re guarding it, or they ARE the treasure?

Unlikely.

Another idea: In cartoon logic, sometimes “treasure” is friendship or adventure — but again, not for a school worksheet.

Perhaps the answer is “seaweed” or “coral” — but those aren’t typically shiny treasures.

Let’s think about the word “blinkt” — in German/Dutch, “blitzen” means to flash or lightning — so “blinkt” could imply something electric or flashing.

But underwater? Not really.

I recall now — in some versions of this puzzle, the answer is “air bubbles” — because when you open a chest underwater, air escapes and creates bubbles that catch the light and sparkle.

That could work!

Air bubbles rising from the chest — they shimmer and shine in the sunlight.

And the eel is seeing them and saying “Wow! What’s shining there?”

Yes! That fits.

Also, air bubbles are commonly associated with underwater scenes and treasure chests being opened.

Moreover, air bubbles are temporary and magical-looking — perfect for a child’s illustration.

So, putting it all together:

Step 1: The chest is open underwater.
Step 2: When opened, air trapped inside escapes as bubbles.
Step 3: Air bubbles rise and reflect light, making them appear shiny or sparkling.
Step 4: The eel sees these shiny bubbles and exclaims in surprise.
Step 5: Therefore, what’s “in” the treasure chest — or rather, what’s coming out of it that’s shiny — is air bubbles.

Final Answer:
Air bubbles