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A turtle went to a spare parts store. He gazed on wondrous things galore: A tusk, a horn, a peacock's plume, Fine rattles in the serpent room. An eye, a snout, a camel hump, Assorted wings dumped in a lump. A zebra skin and hippo cheek, Raccoon mask and buzzard beak. He asked the clerk, hope in his eyes, "Do you have a lion mane my size? I'll put in on, go out the door And give a fine ferocious roar. "My life will change from dull to swell, I'll run and catch a grand gazelle. Then call my family to my side And tell them we're a lion pride." The sales clerk took a strip of hair And draped it cross his back with care. He said, "My friend, I'll tell you true What I now see is just not you. "This mangy fur will surely hide The gorgeous shell you wear with pride. The beasts all think you now look fine Perhaps we'll just give it a shine." The turtle said, "I do agree My shell is fine, but don't you see, A low slow turtle has little chance For Jungle King or Lord of the Dance?" "My friend, those lions you now fear, Will disappear, you'll still be here. They all get old and then they're gone But turtles just keep crawling on. "The shell protects you from much pain And always shields you from the rain. You have no hair to wash and comb. At night you're always safe at home. "It's time for you to state the claim That you deserve a special name. I'll shine the shell and we'll decide How you can wear it with great pride. And when the turtle left the place A big wide grin was on his face, Across his back, it was super cool, In big red letters: TURTLES RULE !!!
—Grandpa Tucker |