Posted in Waggin' Tails

Spot pushed Paw-Paw in his wheelchair down the sidewalk towards the pond.  Mickey skated alongside, dashing ahead every so often to skate a pirouette for their amusement.  During one of his turns he caught a crack in the sidewalk, and it sent him flying, skates over tail-feathers.

"Are you okay, Mickey?" Paw-Paw cried out.

"It didn't hurt", came Mickey's standard response.  He was quite experienced at taking spills while skating.  This time he jumped up and skated straight ahead, staying carefully to the right of the wheelchair with no more attempts at tricks.  "I am seeing stars, though.  They're beautiful!"

"Back to our conversation", Spot urged.  "Is it right for a turtle like Tad to prefer the library to the pond?  Is it right for his parents to force him into the water?"

"Well, first, let's consider what Tad's parents are doing - encouraging their son to get in the water and swim.  Tad's parents understand the importance of Tad knowing how to swim.  For his own good, they want him to learn.  Furthermore, they're turtles.  They understand turtle culture, and know how important it is for young turtles to know their identity.  Does that make sense to you, boys?"  Paw-Paw waited for either Spot or Mickey to answer, but both were hesitant to speak up.

"Think of it this way", Paw-Paw continued.  "In duck culture, Mickey, flying south for the winter is important.  Right?

"Well yeah, but..."  Mickey was going to go on and remind Paw-Paw that, because they lived in the south already, there was no reason for him, personally, to fly south.

Before he could finish that thought, Paw-Paw interrupted: "But some ducks don't need to fly south - is that what you were going to say?" 

"Yes... I think", Mickey said, finding it hard to concentrate.  His head was still spinning.

"Nevertheless, because you're a duck, it was important to your parents to teach you about flying for that reason.  Right?"  Again, Paw-Paw waited for an answer.  Mickey steadied his head with his left wing.

Paw-Paw continued, "You learned to fly, but you prefer to rollerskate.  My point is this: I don't think Tad's parents want him to stop reading.  No, I think they are wise for wanting him to learn more about being a turtle."  Suddenly, Paw-Paw shouted with excitement,  "I've got a great idea!  I've thought of something we might suggest to help Tad.  Let's quickly swing across the road and stop at the library on our way to the pond."

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