Topsey

Tivy, the Turtle, was a hip-hop star. When he walked…. it was more like... when he danced out on that stage, the crowd simply went wild. Sea creatures and animals came from miles around to see Tivy. With his shiny MagiFlips and matching cape, all sparkly and glittery, he was a sight to behold. He was a terrific entertainer and everybody loved him. He would sing and dance and hop and jump - he gave quite a performance. He and his Rockin’ Turtles band traveled all up and down the coast giving concerts. But now it was almost Christmas, and they were anxious to get back home where the waters were warmer, and they could take a break.

Tivy was born on Topsail Island. He was born without any front flippers, so he had a very difficult time as a young turtle trying to get around. When he enrolled in the Turtle School, there were four other students in the school: Waxie, Maxie, Cheryl and Beryl. They had all attended the school the year before.

Waxie, Maxie, Cheryl and Beryl had helped Tivy learn how to walk on his back flippers. It didn’t take long until Tivy was able to run, jump, hop, and even dance! One day he started singing a hip-hop song and then just started dancing to it. Topsey liked it so much that he wanted his class to play the music for the graduation ceremony. They let Tivy do a couple of hip-hop numbers, and suddenly…. a star was born!

Tivy went home for Christmas break and stayed with his parents. His community had changed a lot over the years. The original Turtle School had been in Topsey’s Cave, which had been Topsey’s home located just behind Topsey’s Cove. The school had grown so much, with so many students, that the Community Association had to build a new school. This new school was just around the corner from the old one. Maris, the daughter of Topsey and Turtella, had been named Head Mistress of the new school.

The old school, which Turtella had decorated with her beautiful shell and colorful glass mosaics and the shipwreck scene, had been converted to the Town Center. The art studio had remained in the Town Center for everyone to use, which also included Topsey’s Cove. It was a wonderful place to hold concerts and community gatherings. In the evenings, when the sun was setting, it shone into the cave, making it look like the cave was on fire, with all the colors sparkling and dazzling.