Tilly the Turtle and the Heavy Backpack

Tilly the turtle tells her best friend Hugo a private fear of the deep end of the pond, and next day he repeats it for a laugh in front of the school.

We Should Forgive

In a peaceful village called Pebble Pond, there lived a young turtle named Tilly. Tilly was thoughtful and gentle, and she loved her best friend Hugo the hare more than anyone in the whole pond.

One sunny afternoon, Tilly told Hugo a secret. It was a tender, private secret: she was afraid of the deep end of the pond and had never learned to swim there.

"I promise I won't tell anyone," said Hugo, crossing his heart.

But the next day at school, when the other animals were laughing and playing, Hugo wanted to seem funny. "Did you know," he said with a grin, "that Tilly is a turtle who's scared of water?"

Everyone burst out laughing.

Tilly's face burned. Her eyes stung. She pulled her head into her shell and stayed there until the bell rang. She felt as though a heavy stone had dropped into her heart.

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Quick answers about Tilly the Turtle and the Heavy Backpack

What is Tilly the Turtle and the Heavy Backpack about?

Tilly the turtle tells her best friend Hugo a private fear of the deep end of the pond, and next day he repeats it for a laugh in front of the school.

Is Tilly the Turtle and the Heavy Backpack free to read?

Yes. Every story on RapidTale is free to read in the browser, with no sign-up and nothing to install.

How long does it take to read?

This story runs 1 chapter — most readers finish in one sitting, and you can stop and return to any chapter using the contents list.

Who wrote it?

Nimra Khan — original fiction published on RapidTale.