Here's why:
* Short vowel sound: The "a" in "crab" makes a short, clipped sound, like the "a" in "cat" or "hat".
* Long vowel sound: Long vowels typically have a drawn-out sound, often making the same sound as the letter's name. For example, the "a" in "cake" has a long vowel sound.
Let me know if you'd like to explore other vowel sounds!