Children

117

Doris has grown into a mature adult tortoise. She encounters prejudice on a daily basis because of her purple shell with large white polka dots. However, Doris uses her intelligence to opens New Way Academy school. She teaches tortoises of all species how to handle prejudice through nonviolent means. Doris twin nephews, Milton & Andy were also born with physical defects and the only playmates they have are each other.

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The twins toddle down to the river to bask in the sun. Although he loves his brother, Andy desperately wants a friend that he can call his very own, "Milton, if we learn how to swin, wel will have lots and lots of playmate."

"Andy, you know that land-dwelling tortoises can't swim. If we try to we will drwon. So just forget it. We can do other things like play leapfrog and tug-of-war. Other tortoises aren't going to become our playmates just because we know how to swim, that ridiculous!" Milton replies.

Soon, a group of water-dwelling tortoises join Andy and Milton. So, Andy thinks that they've found new playmates. Andy yells, "Hey Tom, wait up! I want you to teach me to swim!"

"Please don't try it, you'll drown," Milton whispers to Andy. But Tom, the leader of the group overhears Milton.

"Oh that's just an old wives' tale! Don't pay any attention to your brother. You can swim if you really want to, Tom says with a smirk.

As Milton helplessly looks on, Tom holds Andy atop the water for a few minutes, and lets him go. Andy sinks to the bottom of the river. Tom and the others laugh hysterically. Milton watches as the water-dwelling tortoises dive to the bottom of the river. He waits but they do not come back to the top. They have gone home! Andy is still down there! Milton calls his brother's name over and over again as he rushes to the river.