The Quiet Turtle

In the meadow by the pond, there lived a small turtle. The turtle was very quiet. It liked to sit inside its shell and watch the world go by.

The frogs jumped and splashed. "Jump with us, Turtle!" But the turtle shook its head. "I am too slow."

The rabbits hopped and played. "Hop with us, Turtle!" But the turtle hid in its shell. "I am too shy."

The birds sang songs. "Sing with us, Turtle!" But the turtle stayed quiet. "My voice is too soft."

One day, a little duck waddled over. The duck sat next to the turtle. It didn't say anything at first. It just sat there, quietly.

After a while, the duck said, "You don't have to jump or hop or sing. You can just be you."

The turtle peeked out of its shell. "Really?"

"Really," said the duck. "Come sit with us. Just be you."

The turtle walked slowly to where the other animals were. They made room. They smiled. Nobody asked the turtle to be fast or loud. They just let the turtle be... the turtle.

And the turtle smiled. The warmest, happiest smile.

Goodnight, quiet turtle. Goodnight.