There was a small Frog and his good friend Turtle. They lived in a pond with a lovely waterfall in the midst of a vast woodland.

Together with Salamander, Dragonfly, Goldfish and Stone, also Toad when he was about, they all formed a happy community watched over by Waterfall, who was old and wise.

Frog and Turtle were companions who shared a sense of adventure, but in different ways. Frog was a playful and perceptive little fellow taken to daydreaming. He was known, however, to be rather outrageous and irritatingly outspoken at times. Turtle was much beloved for his warm heart and thoughtful ways. He was quite practical and efficient in the everyday but in his heart of hearts, he craved excitement and new experiences.

As they sat together on Stone, who was quite happy to shade Salamander and enjoy their company, Frog's gaze would turn inward with his fantasies, while Turtle, albeit somewhat uncomfortably, cranned his neck upward to scan the sky for the birds or clouds passing overhead. For as much as he was admired by the little community for the steadfast ways that grounded little Turtle to the Earth, Turtle felt encumbered by his heavy shell, and longed to be free to dance and move about as he pleased, or fly, as Dragonfly or Sparrow did.

One day Turtle became restless, and a great sadness settled into his heart. As much as he would miss his friends he knew the little pond was no longer home. Turtle spoke to Waterfall, who was used to these sorts of events over the long and changing course of her lifetime. Waterfall listened and in the silence broken only by the sound of her gentle words tumbling over the rocks, Turtle felt comforted and reassured.

Frog understood as well, although he would much miss his friend. Not long ago he had experienced a similar urging and had journeyed to another pond with the quite garrulous but great hearted local adventurer, Toad, who was adept at these things. Frog offered to accompany Turtle some distance into the woods on the following day when Rain was sure to come and there would be puddles to bathe in as they went along.

Everyone, with a mixture of tears and happiness, came to say good-bye to Turtle and give back something of themselves as presents. Goldfish brought joy and lightness of heart, as her colors reflected the sun even from the depths of the pond. Dragonfly brought visions of the future as only she could weave with the shimmering of her wings. Salamander and Stone, who were rarely apart, shared something of their stillness. Toad, as always generous, gave of his courage and spirit. Waterfall taught Turtle about change and the passing of all things, and there's not much more to be said about that.

Once the Clouds had passed, and Rain with them, the little duo made their way into the forest. Turtle was a bit too full of adventure , and once in his exuberance crawled up onto Log just to express a little lightness of being. But then it took fully half a day to right himself with Frog's help when he fell off Log upside down. Turtle was not a little afraid that Crow would find him before he was righted again and he passed many anxious moments learning to appreciate his basic nature.

Finally, Turtle and Frog arrived at a place where Frog knew he would have to say good-bye. Frog thanked Turtle for all his kindness and told Turtle that by his example, he had learned to protect and care for himself a little better. In return he offered Turtle his voice, full throated and true from the heart.

And as always happens with these stories, there was at that moment a sunset, which Turtle, with all the grace he could muster, vanished into.

The End (and a new Beginning).
*submitted for copyright

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Louise Dery-Wells

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