The Tale of the Great Slip

Illustration by Summer  Age:  8  Paris, TN

          Hayden the turtle was slowly making his way to the bank of Polliwog Pond.  He was thirsty and wanted to get a drink of nice cool water.  It had rained during the night and all the grass on the bank swept across his face making him wet.  He also had trouble walking in the mud that had once been the path to the pond.  As he neared the bank of the pond, he slipped in the mud and tumbled into the water landing on the back of his shell.

            “Help!!!”  Hayden called to anyone who could hear.

            Fortunately Emerson the dragonfly just happened to be flying by.  “Hold on, Hayden,” called Emerson, “I will go for help.”

Illustration by Audra  Age:  2
Mrs. Natalie's Childcare

            Being upside down was not comfortable for Hayden.  His legs were sticking up in the air, and he had to lean his head forward to keep it out of the water.  He tried to stay calm until he felt himself being pulled out into deeper water.  “Hurry, Emerson,” Hayden said to himself as he began to cry.

            Just then he saw Audra the Duck swimming up to him as fast as she could go.  Emerson the dragonfly was flying right behind her.  “Hold on, Hayden,” panted Audra as she touched his shell, “Let me see if I can’t push you toward the shore.”

            Audra put her side along Hayden’s side and began to try to push him toward the shore of the pond.  Hayden still drifted toward deeper water and began to panic.  “Audra, it’s not working!”

            “Emerson,” called Audra, “I can’t do this by myself.  I need help!”

Illustration by Emerson  Age:  4
Mrs. Natalie's Childcare

            Emerson flew down until he was in front of Hayden and tried to push him back while Audra pushed him sideways.  This made Hayden and Audra begin to spin in circles.

            “Emerson, Stop!!”  Audra yelled.  “We need something to pull Hayden out of the water.”

            Emerson nodded and flew away.  Audra managed to stop the spinning, but she could not keep them from continuing to drift into deeper water.  Hayden was now crying hysterically.

            Before long Emerson returned with a long cattail in his legs.  He lowered it to Hayden and told him, “Hold onto this cattail with your teeth.”

Illustration by Talan  Age:  4
Mrs. Natalie's Childcare

            Hayden bit down on the cattail and held on.  Both Emerson and Audra grabbed the cattail and began to drag Hayden toward the shore.  The friends pulled Hayden up onto the bank, but he was still on his back.  Audra went to his side and put her bill under him and lifted.  Emerson joined her, grabbed him with his legs, and lifted.  In a few minutes they managed to get Hayden back on his feet.

            Hayden stood there still shaking from his ordeal.  “Thanks, guys, that was so scary.  I thought I was going to float away and be stuck on my back forever.”

            “You're welcome, Hayden,” said Emerson and Audra together.  “That’s what friends are for.”