Turtle's Courageous Crossing
By a sparkling pond, where lily pads float, Lived Tilly the Turtle, in her cozy moat. With shell green and shiny, but heart oh so shy, She dreamed of the river, under the wide sky. Her friends splashed and swam to the other side's shore, But Tilly stayed put— "It's too far, I implore! What if I slip, or the current's too strong? I'll hide in my shell where I belong."
Her duck friend quacked, "Come on, Tilly dear! The berries are juicy, the views crystal clear!" Frog hopped close, with a ribbit so bright, "You've got steady feet— you'll cross it just right!" But Tilly's eyes widened, her flippers a-tremble, "The log's wobbly bridge makes my tummy assemble With butterflies wild— oh, I can't take the chance! Courage? That's for the bold in a dance."
But rain clouds gathered, with thunder's low growl, The pond swelled high, branches starting to scowl. The log bridge swayed, the safe path now lost— Friends called in panic, "Tilly! We need you most! The water's too swift— you're steady and slow, Lead us across before the floods grow!" Tilly's shell shook, but her heart whispered low, "Now's the time— let your courage show."
She poked out her head, flippers gripping tight, One step, then another— into the night. The log rocked and rolled like a boat in a squall, Rain pelted her shell, but she wouldn't fall. "Scared? Yes," she muttered, voice quivering small, "But friends need a hero— I'll answer the call. Courage isn't no fear— it's going despite, One flipper at a time, into the fight!"
A gust whipped the bridge, tilting sharp to the side, Tilly clung fierce, no place left to hide. Doubts bubbled up like the waves down below, "You're too slow, too small— let the big ones go!" But she thought of her friends, their trusting eyes wide, And pushed on with grit, flippers open wide. Halfway now— the shore glimmered near, Courage her compass, banishing fear.
With a final heave, she tumbled to land, Shell safe and sound on the berry-strewn sand. "Tilly! You made it— now guide us across!" She nodded brave, no time for a toss. One by one, she led them steady and sure, Through rain and through rock, her courage pure. The crossing complete, as the storm started to cease, Tilly's heart swelled— she'd found her peace.
Under clearing skies, they munched berries so sweet, Friends cheered for Tilly, their hero complete. "You crossed when we couldn't— what made you so strong?" She smiled soft, "Courage hides all along. It's not in the roar or the wings that take flight— It's choosing to move when the world's full of fright. Step out of your shell, one inch at a time, And bravery's yours— in rhythm and rhyme!"
A rainbow arched high, painting hope in the blue, Tilly led games, bold and ever so true. No more hiding away— she explored far and wide, With courage as armor, right by her side. Personal power, like a shell strong and round, Grows when you face what scares you aground. Cross your own bridges, however they sway— You're braver than you know, every day!
As sun dipped low, gilding the water so still, Tilly tucked in her flippers, with a contented thrill. More crossings to come, more fears to outpace— A turtle courageous, in her own steady grace.