Topsey

When Grandpa Carmi got to Tivy’s house, they gave Turtle greetings and exchanged all the news from their homes. Tivy told Grandpa Carmi about the net bag that Father had made. He made it so that he and Mother Turtle could take Tivy to school. Tivy loved school. When they got to the Turtle School, the other students remade the bag so Topsey could wear it on his back. Tivy could ride in the bag on Topsey’s back and he used his eyes to navigate and Topsey used his flippers to swim. Then he told Grandpa Carmi how he had learned to walk, and run, and dance. He told how he had learned to paint, sing, dance and play his chimes. He talked so much, that it was hard for anyone else to say anything. They all laughed and laughed and enjoyed themselves. They were all glad that Tivy was so happy.

Tivy asked, “Grandpa Carmi, would you like to go on a tour of the island? I would love to show you my school.”

Grandpa Carmi said, “Yes, I would like to do that.”

They put the bag on Grandpa Carmi’s back, and Tivy climbed in. Tivy’s back flippers got tangled in the net, and Mother Turtle had to help him get straightened out. Finally, they were ready to go. Tivy showed Grandpa Carmi all around the island, and finally they arrived at the Turtle School.

They went up to the door and Tivy said, “Knock, knock. Topsey, are you home?”

Topsey said, “Yes, come in.”

Grandpa Carmi and Tivy went in, and Topsey showed them around the school. He showed Grandpa Carmi the art studio and told him how he had learned to paint, and then how his students had learned to paint. He showed him the Rockin’ Turtles musical instruments,

Tivy said, “Grandpa Carmi, here are my chimes!”

Tivy picked up the spoon in his mouth and went over to the chimes, running back and forth making a tinkling sound. Grandpa Carmi was VERY impressed. He especially noticed how the chimes were fastened to the metal rod at the top, with Mrs. Jelly Fish’s jelly holding them in place. He liked the way the jelly had turned into rubber and let the chimes hang down, swinging freely. Tivy ran up and down playing his chimes and making a swishing sound.