Hey slow turtle. You are moving very fast for a turtle.

Yes, I know — glad you get it. I have a house on my back.

Indeed, and running with my house — that would be hard to do. It's an impressive home.

Thanks. I have been growing it for years.

And it shows, for your shell has many spreads and tiers.

And so by reading the lines of your shell — well, I have to go. I will see you another day.

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Hey slow turtle, today you are moving slow.

I decided to take a break as it is warm.

Yes, when your shell is heated I imagine it is quite hot.

Yes, and then you need to be conservative at times. Moving a little slower doesn't mean I won't get where I need to go.

Life isn't a race, even if sometimes it is fun to run one.

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Hey slow turtle, today you're not moving at all.

Yes, today I am laying eggs. Someday my children will emerge. Sadly, unlike some mothers, I will not stick around. I have to trust them to grow up and take my advice I've already laid down.

Yes, you pass it along as innate instructions for life.

Yes, but I envy humans a lot. Sometimes I am slow and in the water I am fast, but for certain this is the moment I sit so it lasts — and I give all I can in my single moment.

At times a mother can only do one thing for her child, even among humans, and it doesn't mean they didn't want to be there. And even though we want to, doesn't mean we can stay.

Exactly. So you give them all the advice in the moments that you can.