Tilly stepped into the forest. One foot. Then the other. Her shell pressed into soft green moss.
A bright blue flower stood by the path. Tilly paused and sniffed. Sweet and cool.
A flash of movement! The monkey companion swung past with a whoop. He pointed ahead and grinned, then zipped over the next ridge.
Leaves rustled where he landed. Tilly took another slow step. Then another.
The monkey companion found the biggest waterfall. He splashed in the pool. No one was there.
He called out. He waited. He even did a silly dance on the rocks. Only the waterfall answered.
Then Tilly arrived. One slow step at a time. Her shell was covered in bits of leaf and mud.
The monkey companion's ears drooped. He hopped down and held out his hand. The water sparkled around their feet.
They splashed together. The monkey flicked water with his tail. Tilly laughed a quiet turtle laugh.
The waterfall sang. The river babbled. And the best spot in the forest finally felt just right.
