It used to be turtles would run away when humans approached, but now when I came by, they stayed, wondering if they wouldn't want to be sketched. The next time I went to that location, 2 of Bilbo's friends kept swimming nearby shyly. By the third day, there were 5 confidently exposing themselves, not only agreeing to, but almost begging to be drawn! I know the picture shows only 4, but the paper was too small, I tell you...
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I decided to post an e-mail about a turtle I wrote two years ago--it was sent to my sister, and she liked the picture. Back then, I was drawing them only as cartoon, but I thot I'd share it anyway. I call the incident "Turtle's Walking!" You'll see why.
One day, when I was coming around to Lower Bridge, I noticed a turtle up on the landing. I was so glad. I reached into my pocket for my cellphone to get a picture. But the turtle, as soon as it saw me, shot back into the water.
I almost cried. "Don't be like that; it's not a gun or anything, just a camera. Besides, it's me. You know by now I wouldn't hurt you, right?" I pulled my hand out of the pocket to show the cellphone, put it back and sighed.
That turtle, out in the pond now, came swimming back hurriedly. And it not only clambered up onto the landing again, but while a little boy nearby watched, the turtle came walking up a ways, as if to say, "Still friends?"
"Mom!" the little boy called. "The turtle's walking!"
Big deal; turtles walk; so what. That comment didn't bring the mother running. But for me that day, I think it was much more than just a turtle walking.
