챕 1Tilly’s Big Discovery

Tilly kept walking and searching through the bushes until she heard a soft splashing sound. She followed the sound and found a little pond with clear, sparkling water. "Ahhh! Water helps me stay alive!" Tilly cheered as she took a big, refreshing drink. The water felt cold and wonderful. But as soon as her thirst went away, Tilly heard a loud noise coming from her middle. A hungry rumble echoed through the grass. Her tummy was growling because she was very hungry. "What can I eat in this big meadow?" she wondered, looking around with her curious eyes. She saw some bright green plants growing near the edge of the pond. Tilly took a big bite of a crunchy leaf. "Yum! I need food to have lots of energy to play," she said happily. She felt much stronger now that she had water and food. She spent the afternoon watching the dragonflies zip back and forth over the water. The sun felt warm on her green shell, and Tilly felt like the luckiest turtle in the whole world.

Suddenly, the bright blue sky began to turn a little bit gray. A very strong wind started to blow through the meadow, making the tall grass dance wildly. Tilly felt the chilly air on her skin and she started to feel a little bit scared. The wind made a loud whistling sound that shook the leaves on the trees. "I need a safe place to rest and hide from the cold," Tilly said quietly. She looked around for a spot where she could feel cozy. She found a small, hidden space under some thick branches and soft brown leaves. It was the perfect size for a little turtle. "This is a good shelter," she whispered as she tucked herself inside. "I feel very safe and warm here." Tilly looked out from her shelter at the pond and the plants she had found. She had learned that living things like her need water, food, and a safe place to live. Just as she was closing her eyes to take a nap, she heard a tiny, soft tapping sound coming from a large, mysterious egg sitting right next to her shelter.