The Girl and the Flying Turtle

The Girl and the Flying Turtle - Author : Ebru Mina TOMURCUK

Mia found a turtle in her backyard garden. It was not an ordinary turtle at all. This small turtle had a soft green shell with pale swirl patterns. Silver feathered wings peeked out from under the shell! Around her neck hung a woven daisy chain. Mia knelt down slowly. "Hello," she whispered. "I'm Mia." 1

The turtle blinked gentle amber eyes. "I'm Tilly," she said in a tiny voice. "I have wings, but I'm scared to fly." A little pink blush spread across her cheeks. Mia wore her yellow raincoat and red boots, and her green backpack held her snacks. She sat beside Tilly on the grass. "Maybe we can try together," she said. 2

Mia's chin-length black hair bounced as she nodded. "I'll cheer for you!" Tilly spread her small silver wings. They fluttered, then folded again. "What if I fall?" she asked. "I won't let you," Mia said. "Friends help friends be brave." Her round cheeks glowed with a gap-toothed smile. Tilly peeked at her, and a tiny spark of hope lit her amber eyes. 3

Tilly took a deep breath. She flapped her silver wings hard. Up she rose, wobbling like a leaf in the breeze! Mia clapped her hands. "You're flying! You're really flying!" Tilly giggled and circled low. "I am! I am!" she called. Mia climbed gently on the soft green shell, and Tilly's wings hummed like tiny bells. Off they went, over the treetops, into the bright blue sky. 4

Below them lay a green forest, deep and wide. The leaves looked like a soft, wavy blanket. "Oh, it's beautiful!" Tilly gasped. Mia laughed with delight. "Look over there! The forest has islands above it!" Far ahead, green islands floated in the sky like giant lily pads. Tilly's wings fluttered nervously. "Do we have to go up there?" asked Tilly. 5

"We can do it together," Mia said, patting the green shell gently. "One flap at a time." Tilly nodded. Up they climbed, past puffy white clouds. The floating islands grew larger and closer. Each island had trees and flowers and tiny paths. Tilly's silver wings grew steadier. "I'm doing it!" she cheered. Mia smiled. Friendship made Tilly's wings feel strong. 6

They landed on the first island with a soft bump. A tiny bird hopped over. He had bright blue feathers, a round plump body, and a red scarf around his neck. "Welcome! I'm Pip!" he chirped. "I'm the island guide!" Tilly hid shyly behind Mia. Mia waved hello. "I'm Mia, and this is Tilly. She just learned to fly!" Pip whistled. "Amazing! Follow me!" 7

Pip led them down a winding path. "Here's our surprise!" he chirped. A pool of water sparkled with shimmering blue fish. They jumped and splashed, and the drops twinkled like tiny stars. Tilly gasped with wonder, and her shy blush faded a little. "It's like flying water!" she said. Pip laughed. "That's what I always say!" Mia clapped her hands. The island felt friendly and warm. 8

Next they visited a second floating island. It was covered with fluffy orange flowers. "This one is my favorite," Pip said. Butterflies danced around them in the warm light. Tilly fluttered her silver wings happily. "I'm glad we came," she told Mia. Mia smiled from under her yellow raincoat. "Me too. New friends and new surprises everywhere!" A flutter of butterfly wings brushed Tilly's daisy chain. 9

Suddenly the sky grew grey and gusty. A strong wind whooshed across the floating islands. Tilly wobbled. Her silver wings flapped fast and messy. "Oh no! The wind is too strong!" Tilly cried. She hugged her green shell tight. Mia held on and stayed calm. "I'm right here!" she called over the wind. "You can do this, Tilly! I believe in you!" 10

A wise old owl swooped down beside them. He wore round spectacles and a purple knitted vest with wooden buttons. "I am Grandpa Oak," he said gently. "Young turtle, look at your wings. They know what to do. Trust them, one flap at a time. And trust your friend beside you." Tilly looked at Mia. Mia nodded. "One flap at a time," Mia said softly. 11

Tilly closed her eyes and breathed the way Mia told her. Flap. Flap. The wind pushed, but her silver wings pushed back. "I'm doing it!" she called. Mia laughed. "You're flying steady!" Together they rose above the gusty wind, with Pip flapping behind them. Tilly's amber eyes shone. She was not scared anymore. Her wings felt strong and sure. Courage had grown from a friend's kind words. 12

The wind softened into a gentle breeze. Below them, the green forest waved like a sea of leaves. "Let's fly home!" Mia cheered. Tilly turned toward home, steady and proud. Pip waved his red scarf. "Come back soon!" he called. "We will!" Tilly promised. Down they glided, past the clouds, over the treetops, until Mia's backyard garden appeared. 13

They landed softly beside the garden gate. Mia's red boots touched the grass. Tilly folded her silver wings, safe and happy. "You were brave today," Mia said. "So were you," Tilly replied. "When the wind came, you helped me keep going." They smiled at each other. Their friendship had made them both braver than before. 14

Tilly wiggled her green shell. "Same time tomorrow?" she asked. Mia giggled. "Same time tomorrow!" She gave Tilly a gentle pat. The daisy chain swayed on Tilly's neck. They had visited floating islands, made a new friend, and learned something wonderful. Friendship gives courage, and courage gives wings.