The Adventures of Myrtle the Turtle

(Based on a true story.

Reprinted by Permission from Mark Hopkins)

Once there was a turtle

The Karamu kids called Myrtle

Day in, day out, she looked outside

At the many things her eyes spied:

Green grass, buzzing flies

Nesting birds, blue skies

Red flowers, brown trees,

Orange leaves, yellow bees

But her days just slowly passed,

Her nose pressed against cold glass

“What is it like to swim to rocks,

Away from cages, kids, and clocks?

Climb slippery logs,

Touch hot sand, hear frogs!

Feel warm dirt, climb vines!

Flowing streams, sweet pines!”

Myrtle mused, designed her plan,

Ready now to make her stand:

“When I’m taken out for a walk,

I’ll move as swiftly as a hawk,

Slide along the wall,

By the weeds so tall,

Jump beyond the bricks,

That will be my trick!”

Then one day, Myrtle declared,

“I’m not afraid, I’m not scared!

I’ll light out, crawl under the fence,

They won’t catch me in grass so dense!”

Four feet, to the task,

Heading North, so fast!

No stops, down the block,

Free to run, no lock!

Myrtle hurtled down the street,

Escape from school now complete

But cars were rushing left and right,

There seemed no safety zone in sight

Concrete, criss-cross run,

Broken glass, hot sun

Claws scrape, skin so dry,

Tail down, tearing eyes.

Myrtle stopped dead in her tracks,

“It’s best that I now turn back.

I’ve gone far from my happy home,

It wasn’t meant for me to roam!”

Turning, heading East,

She could taste a feast

Of fresh green seaweed,

Floating flakes of seed.

In just two seconds flat,

Myrtle scrammed as fast as a cat

She looked up, down, and all around

Searching for some familiar ground

There, here, everywhere,

Nothing missed her stare:

Hearing birds twitter,

Myrtle felt better.

Myrtle sprang to the fence

On a mission now so intense:

Under the rail, straight to the grass,

She could see her window at last!

But how to get in

To her room again?

Who will help her climb

Steps she’d left behind?

Stretching her striped neck to view,

Looking for some kind of clue,

She recognized the scenery:

The school, the garden’s greenery

She ran to the gate,

Not sure of her fate;

She made a mad dash,

As quick as a flash!

To the quiet lot, Myrtle scurried,

Somewhat less worried;

Two cars were parked as still as stones,

In her shell she felt so alone

But where to hide?

Now chance is her guide

She stretched out her paws,

She sharpened her claws.

As the night strengthened its hold,

Myrtle did not feel so bold

She slept and dreamt, but soon awoke,

Up against a tire’s sharp spoke:

Fearing she’d be crushed,

Where in haste she’d rushed,

Should the car now move,

She’ll be in its groove!

Watching from beneath the car,

Myrtle knew she’d gone too far

School was only a hop away,

But something made her stay;

She heard someone shout,

“I think there’s no doubt

A turtle’s right here,

Quick! Stop the car’s gear!”

Myrtle tried to hide, she tried to slide,

But could not decide:

“To wait here, and hope for the best,

Or to continue on my quest?”
As she sat and thought,

She knew she’d been caught

When she felt her shell

By two hands upheld

Now carried, quite contrary,

Her eyes snapped: Myrtle felt wary!

As she passed through the playground’s gate,

She knew freedom was not her fate:

Home now in her tank,

Lucky stars she thanked,

“At long last I’m back,

And yes, that’s a fact!”

Thus ends this turtle’s story,

One of joy, one of glory;

Myrtle the turtle chose to stray,

Learning that by running away

She had left behind

Life so safe and kind,

And the children who

Loved her through and through.

Mark Hopkins

Finis, MMIX

I hope you enjoyed this story and shared it with your care children. If you have stories of your adventures or if the children have made up stories that you have written down, please submit them via the web or drop them off at the office with your menus and we will print them.

Thank you, N. Avery,

Executive Director

and Myrtle