Shelley the turtle was Ben’s pride and joy. Over the years Ben spoiled her with a nice home that he built with his bare hands and kept her tummy full. Shelley’s biggest happiness is whenever she gets food.
“Hmph,” Ben said watching Shelley eat.
Shelley doesn’t like being watched. She turned to him while crunching on dried-up spinach, “What?” she said.
“I feel like something is missing in your life, Shell.” Ben said.
“Food. I want more food,” She managed to mutter as she continued chomping her food.
Unfortunately for Shelley, this is a one-way conversation. Ben didn’t understand her and continued to feel uneasy for a couple of days after that. He wasn’t satisfied with the work he had done for his favorite animal. He felt something was missing and then it hit him one day; he needed to get Shelley a friend.
Ben looked everywhere for Shelley’s new friend. Unfortunately, the other turtles were out of his budget. He almost gave up when he found the perfect friend. That night, he got to work on the surprise for Shelley.
Shelley woke up the next morning and headed for her food dish. This was a routine Shelley did daily. “Food. Food. Food.” She sang as she ate her freshly cut strawberries. She suddenly noticed something new in her tank. It shined like a beacon from above. A clean green plant sparkled in the sunlight. It was a lemongrass bush.
She went for a bite, when suddenly, “Hi-ya!” came from the delicious meal. Shelley was taken aback. The lemongrass spoke to her!
“Uh—you talk?” Shelley asked.
“Of course! Talking’s fun!” Lemongrass said.
“Can all plants talk?”
“Can all turtles talk?”
The lemongrass brought up such a good point, that Shelley decided to change the subject.
“What’s your name, plant?”
“Why would anything have a name? Do you have one?”
“I’m called Shelley. And you?”
“Oh, boy—I’ve never had a name before! What should it be?”
“Food.” Shelley licked her lips.
“Hmm… Maybe Leonard?” Lemongrass said, oblivious to his situation. “Gosh, names are hard! Just call me Lemongrass!”
Something about his silliness made Shelley chuckle in agreement. A friendship formed between them. Shelley never had a friend who understood her. It was difficult for her to grasp. For once, she was making a connection with someone, but she desperately wanted to eat him. She fought the gnawing desire when it would cross her mind. A taste. One little taste was all Shelley wanted. But she knew that taste would turn into a meal. Shelley became uncomfortable and squeamish.
Lemongrass noticed her strange behavior and decided to ask, “Dear friend, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Shelley said, as her tummy rumbled.
“But Shelley, you can tell me anything!”
“I want to eat you!” She blurted. The two stood for a moment, not knowing the words of what to say next.
“Oh,” Lemongrass fumbled his blades, “I think it’s sweet that you want to eat me.”
“It is?”
“No one has ever wanted to eat me before!”
“So,” Shelley paused. “Can I eat you?”
“I may be new to friendship, but I don’t think friends eat friends.” Lemongrass answered.
Shelley knew he was right, and they agreed not to eat each other. But Shelley started to suffer. She couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, and hardly spoke.
One morning, Shelley woke up covered in little bits of leaves everywhere. “Lemongrass?” but no reply was made. She finally made the realization: She ate her best friend!
She went to Lemongrass’s usual spot, where his roots were still in the ground, and cried, “Why would I do such a thing?!” Shelley retraced when she could’ve done it and thought it must have been while sleeping.
Shelley spent days staring at his roots and imagining him still with her. Ben brought in other plants to replace Lemongrass, but it wasn’t the same… She needed her best friend and because of her hunger, he was never coming back.
A few weeks went by, and Shelley woke up to a familiar voice saying, “Hi-ya!”
Lemongrass had returned. Shelley immediately apologized for her actions, which Lemongrass forgave her and replied, “I’ll always grow back!” The two rejoiced and Shelley caught him up on the times he missed. They have reunited again, and it felt good… Until Shelley ate Lemongrass again that night…
From then on, Shelley looked forward to their short reunion every few weeks. To Shelley, food comes and goes, but friendship lasts forever even if you eat it.
Comments