And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. ~ Kahlil Gibran



Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Do Turtles Speak Chinese?



My Dad found a painted turtle in the yard, so he put it in a big bucket for Little Sprout to see. We told her we had to bring it to the river (about a mile away) and let it go right away, so it could find food and other turtle friends. Little Sprout seemed fine with it until we got to the river. All of a sudden the turtle was her very best friend in the whole world, and it broke her heart to let it go. We stood in the cold rain and watched that turtle make a beeline through the tall grass towards the river, listening to Little Sprout's sobs and wails. On the way home, this is how the conversation went:

LS: Mommy, can we visit my very best friend turtle at the river this summer?

Me: Yes, we can come to the river. Maybe we will see your turtle, maybe we will see other turtles.

LS: No, my turtle will know it is me. He will come running up when he sees that I have come to visit. She will tell all her friends about how much she loves me.

(notice the turtle is both male and female. Don't ask me why, I'm just the mommy)

Me: Well, babe, turtles don't really have that long of memories, and you only knew your turtle for about an hour.

LS: Well, I will just yell at him and tell him who I am and then he will remember and tell all his friends he loves me and I love him and she will come running and I will give her a hug... unless he has mud on him. Then I will make him take a bath first.

Me: Sweetie, turtles don't speak English very well. He might not understand you.

LS: Yeah, they don't speak Chinese, either.