One sunny morning, on his way to check his crops, farmer Angus saw a baby tortoise in the middle of his farm road. “What a cute little tortoise!” thought the farmer, “my five-year-old son Noah will be incredibly happy to have it as a pet.”
Farmer Angus picked up the little tortoise, brushed its shell gently with his shirt sleeve. The little tortoise retrieved back into his shelve with a hiss.
“Hey little tortoise, I am not going to hurt you,” chuckled farmer Angus.
“What are you doing in the middle of the road?” he asked.
‘‘I lost track and can’t find my parents and siblings,’’ replied the little tortoise sounding a bit sad.
“Oh no! what a pity!” replied farmer Angus.
“It can be extremely dangerous and lonely out here by yourself. I don’t see your family anywhere in sight,” said the farmer.
“I know,” answered the little tortoise, “I’m heading back to the bushes to find them”.
“Hmm,” hesitated farmer Angus, “I don’t think you will find them,” he said. “I will take you to my house and my son Noah will feed and take good care of you. Noah loves animals.”
“But, I will miss my family,” replied the little tortoise.
“We will be your new family”, replied the farmer, “and you will never be hungry or afraid.”
“But, I am free and well-fed in my natural home”, replied the little tortoise.
“You will be fed and free in our house too,” said farmer Angus.
“But in your house, I will be limited, confined to a cage, and lonely without my family. That’s not freedom,” hissed the little tortoise.
“But it is dangerous out here for a baby tortoise. You could get ran over by the cows and horses or eaten by the swampy hungry crocodiles and alligators,” said the farmer.
“Thanks, but I am used to my natural habitat. I’ll take my chances and my shell is strong enough to shield me from most danger,” said the little tortoise.
“My son will be disappointed and heartbroken if he found out that I couldn’t bring you home,” farmer Angus said, trying his best to convince the baby tortoise.
“But my parents and siblings will miss me more if you take me to your son,” replied the little tortoise.
Farmer Angus was heartbroken, knowing his young son would be sad if he learned about the little tortoise. But he also knew that the tortoise would also be sad living without his family and siblings.
“Alright!” said farmer Angus. “I do not think anyone should be separated or taken away from their family . My son Noah will understand that you are much better finding and living with your family and siblings.”
Farmer Angus took the baby tortoise and placed him in the bush path away from the road.
“Farewell, my little friend,” said farmer Angus, “I hope you find your family.”
“Thank you, kind sir.” replied the little tortoise.
Farmer Angus was relieved, knowing that his decision to let the little tortoise go was the right thing to do. He chuckled to himself and continued along to his farm.
Walt Disney
