The turtle part 2/3

   When Barney woke, it was morning.  He grumbled and walked into the kitchen, past the turtle tank, and open the door tho retrieve the mail.  He stopped short, turned back around and looked back at the turtle tank.  It ransacked mess.  The Glass was smashed up and pieces were scattered everywhere.  The water was all over the ground, still dripping from the counter top.  He flicked the turtle light on.

    There was only one turtle.

    The jewel was there.

    His pet was gone.

    What was going on?  If it was the jewel that had gotten stolen, it would have made sense, but why was his turtle stolen?  Wait a minute - is that animal in the tank the real turtle?  He peered at it closer but still couldn't tell.  So he picked it up in his hand.  It was the stone turtle.

    But if the turtles are so similar, could it be possible that the thief thought that Tito was the jewel? 

To be continued

The Turtle part 1/3

    Barney Humpback was surely a fine gentleman.  He kept his shoes untied at all times, never bothered to shower - why would it be sensible to cleanse if you would only get dirty again? - and cared for nothing at all.  Except for money, of course.  

    Today Humpback was sitting at the table, reading the newspaper.  "It appears that there has been a robber lurking around recently", he said to his pet water turtle.   The turtle poked its head out of the water and blinked twice.

    "Hmph", He continued, "No intelligent man would rob to make a living, that's just depending on others!"  He looked over his newspaper to the turtle tank, "Ain't that right Tito (His turtle)?"

    The turtle opened its mouth and snapped it shut, arrogantly, as if to say, "Except for you of course."

    The man returned to his newspaper and said, "Except for me of course, I'm the best robber around."

    The turtle looked annoyed and emerged itself back into the water.

   "Don't be like that, foolish creature," Humpback sang squeamishly to the turtle, "I have a present for you!"

  Barney took out a container from his knapsack, a very beautiful one, much like a ring box; covered in royal blue velvet and a comforting size that will snuggle into your palm.  He opened it in a curt manner and withdrew the treasure.  It was a beautiful turtle, made out of polished stone, mother of pearl lined the eyes and the carvings were so exquisite that the it looked real.  It was the size of Tito, a baby turtle, perhaps only three inches long.  Humpback noticed that his oily fingers had smudged the figure, so he pulled up his sweater and managed to wipe the lifelike  gem.  Then he placed it into the tank, and it hit the gravel quick and hard.

    The turtle immediately swam over to inspect the obstruction and seemed a bit timid.  Barney flicked of the light on his turtle tank and tucked himself to bed.  The night was deadly dark.


To be continued...