lonely tortoise

“Do you think tortoises get lonely?” Lynate asked this morning.

The children had just come upon another tortoise in our yard. This one was the size of my two fists put together so everyone was super excited. The crowd had rushed to see the animal scurrying through the flowers in the moist ground covering. Eventually, Claudio caught the tortoise by the shell and transported it to our pond area created just for such visitors. Just a while back a wee tortoise crossed our path on the road. While we didn’t swerve the Red Pepper to avoid the little one, someone did jump out and to grab the otherwise certain roadkill. This creature initiated the creation of the pond and the subsequent adoption of his reptilian friend.

Instead of offering my opinion, I returned the question to Lynate. She in response said yes. “It’s good he has a friend. I don’t think animals are meant to live alone.”

What wisdom she brought to the event. And what clarity she brought to a subject continually discussed, debated, and pondered by authors, scholars, lecturers, and movies. Lynate said in her simple statement that we were created to be together, to be in relationship, and to be in the presence of one another.

And how appropriate that everyone was so excited to see another one. Not only was this tortoise significantly larger, but more importantly, it would be a great companion. I loved the excitement of the find, the enthusiasm to join the two creatures and the parade to make sure the new home would be suitable for all. The kids hovered around the make-shift pond for several minutes gazing at the meeting of the two who will surely be buddies. A party is a party because people gather, but wouldn’t it be extra special to party because there is a party? We’re not meant to live alone…let’s celebrate that we’re together.

My friend just recently received Leopard in the mail. The box came without holes since the contents would be going to her computer, not to a cage in the back yard. Ironically enough, she got another one. Did the Leopards know they would be separated and therefore found a way to reunite with their companion? This might be a different beast all together…