Turtle & Goat: New Responsibilities

 

Turtle called Goat with a plea, "Goat, you must come right away, quickly! Mother Turtle told me I need to clean my room. She says it's time for me to take on new responsibilities! I don't know if I like this and I'm not sure of what to do. I figured you would know that's why I had to call you."

Goat came over right away. She listened carefully to what Turtle had to say. Suddenly she giggled, just a tiny little bit. "Oh Turtle, don't have a fit. Having responsibilities is a very good thing! I have a lot of chores that I do every day. Doing chores, being responsible, Mama Turtle is helping you to grow."

"I hadn't thought about it that way," Turtle replied. "Mama Turtle said the time was now. She handed me a list and said that I had to get to work right away! I just didn't know what to think or say."

"What is on your list of chores," Goat asked, "besides cleaning your room, what are you supposed to do?"

Turtle pulled the list out of his pocket. He understood what Goat was saying, but he still wasn't sure about this whole thing. Working on chores means less time to play, laugh, and sing. 

"Okay, here's the list. I must make my bed daily and keep my room clean. I have to put the trash to the curb too. I just don't know what to do because this is going to be harder than it seems. In all honesty, Goat, when Mama first told me all this I thought she was being mean!"

Goat shook her head as she replied, "Turtle, your Mama is doing what all good mothers do. You see, one day we'll be all grown and we will need to cook and clean. Mama Turtle isn't being mean, she wants to prepare you so you're ready. She wants to be sure you know what to do."

"Really? I had no idea that this was her plan. That makes sense to me. Goat, I'm so glad you are my friend. Do you like doing chores, are they okay? I guess it's not too much because you still have time to play." Turtle looked at Goat a little uncertain.

"Turtle I have learned a lot and I think chores are a very good thing. I am excited to learn more and soon I may even start cooking. Isn't that amazing?"

The two friends help one another through thick and through thin. A good friend is there to help and is honest and true. If there's something you misunderstand, your friend and parents can always help explain it to you. New things may be scary at first, it's true. But new challenges often help us grow -- they're really good for you.  

Turtle & Goat: The Things People Say

 

Turtle and Goat were enjoying some tea and lemon cake on a snowy winter day. Sitting there, staring out the window, Turtle could see that something was troubling Goat.  

“I have a question for you, Turtle. I’m curious to hear what you have to say.” Goat looked a little stressed as she asked.

“I don’t know that I have any answers for you,” Turtle replied, “but I will do my best and see what I can do.”

“Well, I, um,” Goat began with a sigh, “I heard some kids talking the other day, and I truly did not like what they had to say. The things they were saying were simply untrue. I thought that before I did or said anything, I needed to talk to you.”

“Oh dear, were the mean kids getting to you? I do my best to steer clear, as I know you do too!” Turtle shook his head as he spoke.

“They weren’t being nice for sure, in fact, I think they were mean, and again, the stuff they said was not true, let’s be honest, they’re quite immature!” Goat said in a very annoyed voice.

“Was it about you?” Turtle asked in a quiet voice.

“Yes, and also you, too. I think these kids are mean by choice.” Goat replied as she once again sighed. 

Taking a deep breath, Goat began to share. It was not an easy thing to do, because a good friend never wants to hurt. They love and want to protect you. 

“They said turtles are way too slow, and that’s a problem they feel. They said that goats have too much energy and that we butt our heads so much that we have no clue. They were making fun of me and you!” Goat said.

“Well, Goat, I can’t say that I’m surprised. Those kids seem to love to lie. But here’s something I can share with you, we need to just turn their words around on them, because none of it is actually true.”

Turtle continued, “I mean, some of what they say may be true in some way, but they forgot the rest, so here’s what we can say.”

“First off, yes, we turtles are slow. But that’s because we’re thoughtful. We think about where and when we want to go. We don’t run about and act like fools. We are careful and deliberate, we think before we speak and move, and we are considerate and very kindhearted, too. I know that’s a lot of big words to say we move with care and love, but learning new words is fun. The most important part is to look at us in a much better way, no matter what the mean kids say.” Turtle replied with a smile.

“And as far as goats go, as you know, you have energy to spare. But that also means you have a lot of spirit and joy! You don’t just shuffle through life; you live and enjoy. You’re full of light, and butting heads is a sign of friendship and love as well. As a friend, you always excel!” Turtle sat back and sipped more tea. He was proud of his answers and as pleased as can be. 

“Oh, Turtle, I knew you’d help me with this. You’re my bestest best friend, I need to give you a hug and a kiss!” said Goat as she jumped up and gave Turtle a huge hug.

“Words can hurt in so many ways; it’s an honest thing to say,” Turtle replied. “But we can show them with our own words that they’re wrong and what they say is a lie. Just because someone says something negative doesn’t mean it’s true. We are more than others say we are, and we know you’re a really great gal, and I’m a great guy.”

The best friends finished their cake and tea. “I’m so grateful that we agree,” said Goat. “People can sometimes say things that aren’t true. But when that happens we can’t let them get to you or me. We look at people not by what others say, but by what we see.”

 

Turtle & Goat: Sharing Feelings With A Friend

Turtle and Goat are the very best friends. They play, read, and share adventures, always so much to do! But Goat had not heard from Turtle in a day or two.

“Where is Turtle?” Goat asked herself. “Why haven’t I heard from him in days? I'd better give him a call to see what he says.”

Turtle answered Goat’s call right away. “Turtle!” said Goat, “I am worried about you. Are you okay?”

“I guess I am all right,” Turtle answered quietly. “I mean, maybe so. Goat, the truth is I don’t really know.”

Goat suddenly felt scared, “Are you sick? Not well? Turtle, what is going on? Please share. You are so dear to me; I hope you know how much I care.”

Turtle let out a little sigh, “Goat, I don’t know how to say it, but I am feeling sad. I know sometimes I feel bad or even mad. But these past few days, I have been a little sad.”

Goat understood right away and knew what she had to do. Because Goat had times when she was sad, too.

“Oh, Turtle, I sometimes feel like you do too. Whenever I get sad, Mama Goat tells me that I am feeling blue.”

Turtle let out a sigh of relief! “You mean it’s not just me? You feel this way at times, too?” he asked.

“No, Turtle, it’s not just you. We all have times when we get a little sad and blue. I won’t tell you how to feel, and I’m not sure of what to do. But you are my dearest friend, and I love you!” exclaimed Goat.

Turtle replied, “Just talking to you is helping me, and I love you too. I felt so sad this morning that I even cried.”

“Crying isn’t a bad thing,” Goat said. “Turtle, we all cry at times, it’s true. Especially when you’re feeling blue. Sharing our feelings is healthy and good! I promise I’ll always listen, just like a best friend should.”

Turtle talked for twenty minutes or more. Goat listened carefully, with her ears and her heart. That’s what good friends do: they listen whether they're near or far apart. Good friends never judge, they just help see you through. 

Friendship isn’t just for good times and fun. A friend who stays with you through the bad and sad times is true. We all deserve a friend like that. Or maybe even two.

Turtle began to talk and share, and Goat listened carefully because she cares. 

After talking, Turtle suddenly felt so much better, it was true. “You helped me so much, Goat! How can I ever thank you?”

As Goat answered, she began to smile, “That makes my heart so happy, Turtle. I’m always so glad for you. You are my bestest best friend, it’s the least I could do. Maybe tomorrow you can come over to play! How does that sound, Turtle? What do you say?”

“Oh, Goat, that sounds like a great idea, indeed! What if I bring over some cake that we share with some tea?” Turtle said, "Thank you so much Goat, I am sure by tomorrow, It'll be just what we need."

The truth is, a best friend brings us so much love. They make us feel warm inside, like the sun. A friend who is true will always listen to you. In good times, silly times, and whenever you’re feeling blue.

Turtle will never forget this important lesson now that he knows. Sharing feelings and listening to others helps our hearts grow! 

A Cardinal in Winter

 

A beautiful cardinal sits,

so red and bright.

On a tree branch

in the winter sunlight.

He chirps and preens,

waiting to he be seen.

Such a chilly crisp

in the air!

Our friend is not cold,

he is quite happy there.

There are icicles hanging

in the bare trees,

All the other birds watch to see,

where he will alight.

The cardinal sits,

so red and bright.

He reminds us of

the beauty that surrounds us,

even in the midst of

the snow and cold.

I love watching him,

so beautiful and bold.

Before too long,

the snow and ice will thaw.

The winter will be no more.

But the cardinal will stay.

through the spring.

I take great joy

In hearing him sing.

And he reminds me that

each season holds beauty,

in its own way.

Today, I urge you to stop.

And listen,

to what our friend

has to say.

A cardinal in winter,

beautiful and bright.

Let’s watch and listen together,

as he sings in the sunlight.

Turtle Feels Sad

 

Turtle feels sad today.

He doesn’t know why, but he knows he feels blue.

Turtle is like me and you,

Sometimes we are up and full of glee.

Other times we are down and blue, you see.

Turtle is sad today.

 

Goat comes to visit and he is full of joy.

He twirls and jumps and leaps in the air.

Goat is like me and you.

Sometimes we are so happy we haven’t a care.

Other times we are blue and feel as if nobody is there.

Goat is full of joy today.

 

Alpaca comes to visit but she is frightened and nervous too.

She is worried about monsters and things that just are not true.

Alpaca is like you and me.

Sometimes we are scared and see monsters in our heads.

Other times we are secure and safe, tucked into our bed.

Alpaca is frightened today.

 

Turtle’s friends all shared how they feel.

We don’t have to see feelings to know they’re real.

You may be happy one day and sad the next.

Talking about our feelings is always best.

Turtle, Goat, and Alpaca are the very best of friends.

And they know that if one has a bad day,

their friendship will not end.

 

A good friend will be there in the good and bad,

Whether you are happy, sad, mad, or glad.

Hearing how his friends felt made Turtle feel much better.

Especially once they all were together.

They talked and heard what each had to say.

After-all, we all have our good and bad days.

 

Our feelings make us all who we are meant to be.

We are more alike than different,

as you can see.

So share your feelings and speak your mind.

And when others share theirs,

remember to first be kind.