Turtles will be the first to tell you that being a turtle isn't an easy job. That shell they drag around with them is very heavy, when you realize that everything they own is on their back 24 hours a day, every day.

 Maybe Dustin Turtle's television set was only 12", but it was heavy. That was problem number 1.

 Dustin Turtle plodded along the path trying to catch the occasional fly. It would have been easier if he had a bit of movement and flexibility, but Mr. Movement he wasn't. The flies wouldn't land on his shell close enough for him to flick out his tongue to catch them. Now he was tired and hungry, problem number 2.

 Dustin Turtle was still a fair distance from the lake and that cool water over his dry skin would feel so good. He moved faster when he was in water. His skin under the hot sun felt like sandpaper, and itching is very hard when you can't get your head around to reach. That was problem number 3, so the day wasn't going well.

 Nathan Rabbit was out hopping, which was normal for a rabbit to do on any given day. Hopping got him from point A to point B, made him able to get food and provided him a way to get away from enemies. Nathan Rabbit was having a great day - that was, until he hopped on Dustin Turtle.

 "Oh, I'm sorry," apologized Nathan Rabbit, which was sincere, as he thought this would be the end of it and he could get on his way.

 "I think you broke something," announced Dustin Turtle.

 "Well?" asked Nathan Rabbit after watching Dustin Turtle with his head twisted backwards looking into his shell.

 "You landed on my television, which now is in two pieces on my rug," said the turtle, pulling his head out of his shell.

 "Television? You carry a television on your back? Isn't that heavy?" asked the confused rabbit, who couldn't believe he'd broken a television set, of all things.

 "Problem number 1 was that it was very heavy on this really rotten day and now problem number 1 is broken," sighed Dustin Turtle.

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 "Look," said Nathan Rabbit looking down. "I've squished a fly with my foot when I landed."

 "Lucky you," said the turtle without much interest. "I'm also hungry. Problem number 2 on this really rotten day."

 "It is really hot today, isn't it?" asked Nathan Rabbit, because his mother always said weather was a safe topic.

 "It is so hot my skin feels like sandpaper. Some water on it would be marvellous," sighed Dustin Turtle. "Problem number 3 on this really rotten day."

 "How about I help change your day around?" suggested Nathan Rabbit. "First, let me help you remove your broken television and that will lighten your load. You can come to my place and watch whenever you want. Second, you can eat this fly, and third, I'll go down to the river and get some water for you. Here is a little present of a pretty Band-Aid on your shell where you can see it."

 Nathan Rabbit put the Band-Aid on the shell handy to the edge so Dustin Turtle could see it. Instantly, flies gathered on its surface, who were curious to see what it was. Quickly, Dustin Turtle flicked his tongue and smiled as he was successful.

 "Maybe this day is changing around," he smiled and waited for Nathan Rabbit's return.

 Question about the story: What did Nathan put on Dustin's shell?

 Winner: Ashley Conrad from Upper Branch received a prize for sending in the answer.

 Send answers to Storytime, c/o Verna Dunlop, PO Box 325 Sheet Harbour, NS B0J 3B0. Prizes will be sent to those sending in the answer.

posted on 01/11/12