Topsey

Topsey told Tivy how he had to be very careful because he bumped into a lot of things and would bruise his skin. That was why he was just not able to swim very fast.

Tivy said, “Topsey, I can be your eyes. We can use my eyes and your flippers to swim together.”

Topsey thought, “I don’t know how this will work but we will give it a try.”

Tivy climbed up on Topsey’s back, using his strong neck muscles and hind flippers. Topsey told the other four turtles to stay close in case they had any accidents. Off they went. Topsey swam very slowly. It was a very strange feeling for him, and he was very unsure of himself.

Tivy said, “Topsey! Go faster!”

Topsey turned his head to talk to Tivy but Topsey turned too fast, and Tivy went tumbling down into the water! Quick as a wink, Maxie and Cheryl scooped under Tivy and brought him up to the surface and took him back to the school room. Tivy was laughing and laughing. Topsey was listening to the laughter and found his way back to the school room. All the students were rolling in the sand laughing! Topsey was exhausted.

Topsey said, “We need to brainstorm again. I love the idea of using Tivy’s eyes and my flippers to swim together but, we can’t have Tivy falling into the water, because he can’t swim alone.”

Beryl said. “Let’s use the net to fasten Tivy to your back. Why don’t you put the net over your shoulder? Tivy can back halfway into it and hold on with his back flippers, with his head sticking out. He can see and guide you.”

They all thought that was a wonderful idea! Maxie and Cheryl scooped the net around Topsey’s front flippers and across his shoulders, and Tivy backed up into the net. Then Topsey slowly slid into the water. Tivy gave Topsey directions, and Topsey made his way slowly around the cave. The four other students followed along behind just in case. Topsey was very nervous, but he soon found that Tivy was a good navigator. He also learned to count the strokes as they went around the cave. This was working out very well!