the turtle. for some reason he decided to take a detour to show the animal to the stranger with binoculars, me, standing at the other end of the fishing pier. i was grateful. he told me about how fast these slippery animals can run, and he invited me to feel the turtle’s backside, to see why these turtles have the name they do. he obliged when i asked for a photo. i thanked the young man for the turtle lesson, truly appreciated, and watched him carefully walk around to a safe spot and gently release the turtle at the water’s edge.
whatever this young man will grow up to be, he’s 