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For Children
The Angry Tortoise and the Jack Russell - a short story
By 1211kellie
29 August 2008

We used to have a tortoise when I was a kid and often we would find it on its back. I didn't realise at the time that it was probably one of our dogs that was causing this incident to happen. This story is based on one of the deadly sins - wrath. Any comments good or bad always appreciated.


tortoise




In the garden of No. 14, Glenbury Avenue, if you look very carefully you will find Tomo the Tortoise. Tomo is a much loved family pet, and on the days when the weather is nice you will find him wandering slowly up and down, exploring in the undergrowth, stretching his legs and looking for tasty things to eat. In fact, life is very easy and peaceful for Tomo. Well, when I say peaceful I am neglecting to mention another much loved family pet! Let me introduce Jase, a very naughty, very disobedient but very lovable Jack Russell dog!

Now, Jase the Jack Russell is quite fond of Tomo. He treats him like an older brother, but as most of us are aware, brothers and sisters can sometimes be quite spiteful to each other.  

Anyway, it was on a Thursday morning that it finally happened. Jase was up to his usual trick – flipping Tomo over onto his back. Jase barked with laughter, ran over to the back door and disappeared indoors. 

Tomo lay there rocking on his shell. “Jase, get your furry legs out here straight away and put me back the right way or you’ll be sorry!” Tomo yelled.

Tomo waited and waited and waited, but there was no sign of Jase. Tomo could feel himself getting angrier and angrier. So angry, in fact, that when Jase reappeared three hours later to turn Tomo over again, Tomo was fuming and started to chase Jase around the garden. Well, what a sight: Jase the Jack Russell being chased by Tomo the Tortoise. Jase got the giggles, lay down on the garden and laughed until he cried, but what he didn’t realise was that Tomo had arrived at his destination. With one almighty chomp, Tomo bit Jase’s back leg! “YELP!” barked Jase, and he scampered off as quickly as he could before Tomo could bite him again. 

Tomo wandered off to get a drink and to cool down. Tomo was hardly ever angry, but lying helpless, upside down under that hot sun for three hours really made him see red.

A bit later on, Jase came outside looking very sorry for himself. “I’m sorry Tomo; I know I shouldn’t have left you outside like that. I promise I won’t do it again,” said Jase. 

Tomo nodded and said “Good, I’m glad to hear that. Besides, it took ages to get all those dog hairs out of my mouth.”

Tomo and Jase both started to laugh. “Friends again?” said Jase. 

“Yes, friends again,” said Tomo. 

If you ever watch a Jack Russell when it’s walking, you’ll notice that it often carries its back leg. It’s just an endearing thing that they do and I can confirm that it has nothing to do with Tomo the Tortoise! 

Reviews
Simply Lovely
Written by Katanga (1537 comments posted) 29th August 2008
Another cracker, Kellie! 
 
I think your children's stories are consistently wonderful! 
 
Cheers! 
 
John X
Quite agreed
Written by Josie (2847 comments posted) 29th August 2008
Your story is absolutely lovely Kellie, and I don't know about the children, but we adults love them too. I could see this in a book with lots of pictures for younger children. We've had lots of animals in our family too, including Jack Russells and tortoises, amongst many others. I also could tell some stories about them - well I have done in some of my poems. Top marks again for the story.

Written by 1211kellie (177 comments posted) 29th August 2008
Thank you once again for you positive comments and I'm so glad you both enjoyed it. :) Just another six to write!  
 
 
Kellie xx

Written by Josie (2847 comments posted) 29th August 2008
Well, pen to paper and off you go. If they are all like this, then we can't wait. ha ha

Written by mia_ms_kim (1057 comments posted) 29th August 2008
Really really enjoyed! What a fantastic story. I loved it, Kellie. I don't know exactly what makes children's story work - one thing I know from experience, is that if it can be enjoyed by everyone in the family, you can't ask for more than that. I think we are all children at heart. I find that if I enjoy it, my child will enjoy it, too, (provided, of course he can understand the concept). I will try this on Nathan when he wakes up. He still asks for your Chloe's dummy story - I've had to revisit it a few times.  
 
I hope your search for publisher is going well. 
 
Mia 8)

Written by Northern-nana (47 comments posted) 7th September 2008
There's something very endearing about animal stories, particularly dogs, probably because this is the first time in over 30 years that we don't have one - and we really feel a bit lost without one. This would be a lovely story to read to my little grandson when he's old enough - I'm going to save it. Only poblem is now, I'll probably be staring at Jack Russells' back legs to see if I can spot that trait! 
 
Nana :)

Written by 1211kellie (177 comments posted) 12th September 2008
Thank you Mia and Northern-nana (cool name) I'm glad you both enjoyed it. 
 
 
Kellie :)

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