…..   This is the story of the Dancing Turtle of Utopia. Dancing Turtle was born on Stoney Creek to the Terrapin Turtle Tribe. Her mother gave her the name Terra because of the land. Terra was known by all the animals on Stoney Creek. Terra had one goal in life. Terra’s goal was to dance.

Terra wanted to dance since before she could remember. Since before she was a baby turtle. It seemed Terra’s desire to dance was just something inside her. Something that was a part of her. Just like her desire to swim. Only one problem, Terra could swim, but she could not dance.

Terra’s mother supported Terra’s goal to dance but she worried about her daughter. Her mother knew that no turtle had ever danced. Everybody knew that turtles could not dance. Turtle bodies were just too little and turtle shells were just too big. Even so, mother was supportive of Terra’s dream. Mother would say, “Terra, you can do anything you put your mind to, but you may want to change your mind about this.” “No turtle has ever danced.” Terra did not want to change her mind.

In fact, Terra was so certain about dancing that she put up with mean teasing from some of the nastier turtles. Some of the snapping turtles would say, “Sure Terra, you can dance.” “The same way a bullfrog doesn’t bump his butt.” Then they would say, “Terra, you couldn’t dance with ants in your pants.” And the most hurtful thing they would say was, “Terra, Terra, the Dancing Turtle of Utopia.” “Terra, Terra, man what a dope you are.” These unkind words hurt Terra’s feelings.

Yes, they hurt her feelings, but not for long. Terra was too determined and too strong to give up on her goal. Terra would go for a swim on Stoney Creek or ride the water rapids down the river. She would go for long walks in the woods or she would go talk to her turtle friends. Terra also had fish friends, bird friends, frog friends, lots of friends. Terra had lots of things she liked to do. But most of all Terra liked to think about how she was going to dance.

One sunny day, while walking the wooded trail, Terra was feeling really good about life. She felt like she was energized and full of spirit. She came to the gathering spot on Stoney Creek and was watching all the activity in the water. Fish were jumping, birds were singing, turtles were hanging out, snakes swimming, frogs on logs, you name it, everybody was there. Terra started to cross the path when suddenly out of nowhere came two fast moving wheels. Terra barely had time to think. She shrunk into her shell and prayed for the best. Wham! Bam! Oh no! Terra was struck by the wheel.

Around, and around, and around she spun. She was spinning on the tail of her shell. Then Terra saw her big chance. “Ah ha!”, she said, “this is my chance to dance.” She thrust her arms out and then pulled them back in. She thrust her legs out and then pulled them back in. She began moving her arms and legs in and out with rhythmic motion, all the while spinning and spinning. It was a sight. She was dancing and all the creatures on Stoney Creek saw it. They cheered and clapped wildly. Then, after a few minutes of this dancing spectacle, Terra leaned forward and fell down on her belly. It was a perfect turtle landing.

All the creatures were amazed. They shouted, “Terra, Terra, the Dancing Turtle of Utopia”. They shouted it over and over again, and nothing else, nothing bad. They all came to Terra excited to hear what it felt like to dance. They made Terra into a hero and a local celebrity. And Terra just smiled. She smiled a big turtle smile which came from reaching her goal. They called it her dancing eternal spiral smile.

©2016 blindfish butler