Tortoise with a Cheshire grin.

A Story by Jon Roggie

Hmmm...

"Who's that?"

Look.

"Where? Only rocks and sand here. No fun."

Maybe if I smile.
Only for a moment.

Tell me your story.

"Just a rock. I don't see a smile!"

My kind moves slow. Look in my eye. Talk to me.

"Not a rock. Still look kinda scaley. Do you bite?"

Only plants. So, why so sad?

"You won't understand!"

Hmmm....

"Quit saying that!"

I remember a story,
one when I was little.

"You are little!"

Be nice.

Peaking through the bush,
I saw,
I mean someone saw a sad child.

Looking for a smile.

"I see your smile. Tell me about the child!"

Still sad?

"No! Wait! Where are you?"

For a bit, always a smile.

"How do you do that?"

Grin!