Goldifish and The Three Turtles
In a pond not so far away there lived three turtles. These turtles were called map turtles because their shells had lines on them somewhat like a map does. There was Papa turtle whose name was Yurtle and he was quite large. There was Mama turtle whose name was Myrtle and she was medium sized. There was a baby turtle who was rather small; his name was Shelly. Shelly still had lots of time to grow.
Lots of other animals lived in the pond. There were salamanders and frogs. There were lots of tadpoles. There were different kinds of insects who walked on top of the water. And there were lots and lots of goldfish.
"Turtles," Papa explained to Shelly, "are morally superior because we are vegetarians! We eat roots, and leaves, nuts, and twigs, and fruits and berries, but not other animals." Papa was especially fond of berries although he seldom got any.
"Now, Dear," said Mama, "we must all live as we are made." Mama did in fact find some of the eating habits of the fish absolutely disgusting, but the less said about that the better.
Shelly was greatly interested in just about everything and especially eating, but when a fish had dared him he found he was unable to eat a live insect. So Papa explained that Shelly was an admirable turtle and should not compare himself with fish who were silly creatures and rather low.
Every morning about nine o'clock a Lady came out to visit the pond. "Here Fishie, Here Fishie, Fish Food!" the Lady called. The goldfish immediately swam to the top of the pond and began jumping around excitedly. The Lady threw handfuls of fish food pellets into the pond where they floated enticingly. The fish shoved each other about greedily to be the first to get the pellets although there were plenty for everyone.
"Here turtles, Here turtles," the Lady called. The turtles who could hear quite well, resting snugly on the bottom of the pond, did not respond immediately. "Here turtles. Where are my beautiful turtles?' the Lady called.
Eventually Papa swam up and stuck out his nose. Papa turtle liked pellets when they were hard and crunchy. The lady threw a handful near Papa who immediately began crunching on them. "You are so beautiful!" the Lady said. Papa turtle nodded agreeably; he knew he was beautiful.
A little while later Mama turtle swam up to check things out. Mama liked her pellets firm but not so crunchy. After they had been floating on the water for about five minutes they were just right for her. "Well there you are," said the Lady. "How are you this fine day?"
Mama did not reply. Although she was grateful for the food pellets Mama turtle was not quite sure what to make of the Lady
.
Shelley waited another 10 minutes before he swam up to the surface. He liked his pellets to be quite mushy. Also Shelly knew that if he waited a little longer the Lady would leave. Shelly was a little bit afraid of the Lady and besides that he was quite shy.
And they all lived happily ever after.
Pictures of Our Lady of the Pond:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/9151458@N07/sets/72157644586009000/
(You may need to copy and paste the above link.)
Dan and Rebecca
www.casa-de-terrible.blogspot.com
