Online:The Turtle and the Sloth

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Book Information The Turtle and the Sloth
ID	8280

The Turtle and the Sloth

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Trotty had spent most of her life swimming and never looking behind her shell. Always moving and only stopping for a quick bask under the sun, she had traveled to places out of reach for even the biggest of ships, something she took pride in.

One day, Trotty decided to test how long she could keep swimming. Maybe she'd find the edge of the ocean the other silly turtles used to tell stories about and fall to Oblivion! Oh, but even that wouldn't stop her.

Soon, Trotty found herself on an island she had never stepped foot on before. Further down was a green jungle that seemed even more exciting to explore. But Trotty never stayed in one place for too long.
However, something lazily hanging onto a tree in the distance caught her eye. Trotty trotted faster to get a closer look. She wasn't as fast on land as she was in water, but by the time she had reached the tree, the creature had only moved an inch. It had long limbs, black, beady eyes, and was fuzzy all over.

"Are you all fine?" asked Trotty. The creature slowly peered down at her with a smile.

"I'm Sloth," he replied with a smile. "And I'm happy under my favorite palm tree. Who are you?"

"I'm Trotty. Have you ever moved from there?"

With how long it took for the sloth to smile, Trotty felt like she had already gotten her answer.

"Only when I feel the need."

Trotty's shell sank a bit. Poor sloth. Forget the island, Sloth must have never even seen the entire shoreline.

"Does this island have a name, Sloth?"

"This is Solstice Island. My home. Are you new here, Trotty?"

"I am. I swam here from a faraway land and have seen many magical places!"

"That sounds amazing and exhausting. Well, welcome to Solstice Island, Trotty. I hope you can see every little bit of magic the island has to offer in your days here."

"Oh, I won't be staying here. I have many more places to see."

Trotty bobbed her head in thought for a moment. "Sloth, why don't I give you a ride on my shell and we both take a tour of Solstice? I'm sure there's much you still haven't seen. With how fast I am, we'll have covered the entire island by sunset!"

"That's very kind of you, Trotty." Sloth was climbing down his palm tree this entire time and had finally touched the sand before walking to her side. "But I think I'd like to walk instead. Won't you walk with me? I'm sure you'd find it more pleasant."

"A walk?" Trotty couldn't remember the last time she had ever walked for that long.

"That's much too boring for me Sloth," said Trotty with a zeal of energy. "Actually, I think it may be time for me to go—"

"How about a race?" replied Sloth, Trotty nearly falling sideways on her shell in response.

"A race?" Trotty wondered if she had been basking under the sun for too long. But Sloth slowly nodded and smiled.

"A race around Solstice Island. It will be more exciting. And you'll be able to see everything quicker, so we can have a nice talk about it before you leave."

Trotty, still wondering if she had taken in too much heat, finally bobbed her head in agreement. Could this Sloth just be playing her for a fool, she wondered.

The two readied themselves. "Does the winner get a prize?" Trotty asked Sloth.

"Only if you're not too fast." replied Sloth. Another odd response. But there was no time for Trotty to think about that now.

"3…2…1… go!"

Before Sloth could even move his three-toed foot, Trotty had already waddled off, not even taking a single moment to look back.

"I'll make sure not to miss my prize on the way back!" Trotty shouted to Sloth, who only smiled as he took his first step.

* * *

By the time Trotty had returned, the sand was cooler, so it was safe to collapse on it from exhaustion. She looked up and lifted her shell in surprise after noticing Sloth was already back up on his tree.

"Welcome back," said Sloth with a smile.

"I never caught a glimpse of you behind me. Did you even race? And where was the prize? I didn't see anything while running," asked Trotty to Sloth.

"I decided not to distract you from the prize, since I've already seen it once." Trotty still had no idea what Sloth was talking about. "Tell me, how was the island? There's much that's unique to Solstice. Its beaches, its mountains, its unique bouquets of people."

"I…" Trotty hadn't paid attention to the island. Was she supposed to? Wasn't getting where she needed to be more important? "I don't know. I wasn't paying attention to that."

It almost looked like a frown had formed on Sloth's face now. "Hmm, I see. That must've been exhausting then. I'm sorry. I hope you can visit again and see the prizes Solstice Island has to offer."

Sloth waved Trotty goodbye before resting his head on a drooping leaf.

"Sloth? Still want to ride on my shell? I feel like walking this time."

"That sounds more relaxing."