Topsey

The following day, Grandpa Carmi arranged the seaweed into two squares large enough to fit over Tivy’s body. He spread Mrs. Jelly Fish’s JellyJel jelly over the two squares. He had found two short pieces of rope, that folded into loops, and placed them at the corners of one square. He used extra jelly to hold them down. This had to dry overnight. He placed the two squares together and left the top edge open. He then sealed the bottom three edges with more jelly to make a backpack. This had to dry overnight.

Tivy had been checking on Grandpa Carmi during these three days, and he kept asking Grandpa Carmi what he was doing. The other turtles also came out to see what Grandpa Carmi was doing. A turtle named Turtella would bring Grandpa Carmi drinks and food, so he could keep working. Turtella was Grandpa Carmi’s daughter and Father Turtles sister. Finally, on the third day, after all the jelly had turned to rubber, Grandpa Carmi told Tivy that his project was finished.

He said, “Tivy, this is your new travel bag.”

Grandpa Carmi put the bag on his back and told Tivy to climb in. So Tivy backed into the bag, and it was so smooth he had no trouble getting in! Tivy started squealing so loud that everyone came running out to see what was going on.

Tivy said, “Look, everybody. Look at my new custom-made travel bag!”

While everyone was admiring the bag, Grandpa Carmi slid into the water and went for a little swim. Tivy was able to hold his head up and look all around. Grandpa Carmi swam for a long way, and he swam as fast as he could. The next day, Tivy asked Grandpa Carmi to take him for another long swim.

Grandpa Carmi said, “I’m sorry Tivy. I can’t take you today I have some other work to do.”

Turtella, who was standing on the beach with the other turtles, said, “I’ll do it Tivy.”