World Turtle Day!

“I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.” ~Lao Tzu

This past week I was driving home from work and noticed something very small moving in the road.  As I got closer, I realized it was a tiny turtle attempting to cross the road during rush hour.  Now, if this sounds familiar, you are correct.  This has happened to me before and I did indeed blog about it.  But given the fact today is World Turtle Day, I decided to write about it again!

So I come to a complete stop and hop out of my car despite the traffic.  The person in the car behind me got really mad, swerved around me and gave me a dirty look as he drove by.  Since I wasn’t sure how to handle a turtle the first time this happened, I had looked it up and knew it’s best to just pick up the little guy by the bottom of his shell and help him finish crossing the street in the direction he was traveling.

Evidently, if you don’t put them down in the direction they were traveling, they will turn around and try again.  Good to know, because I’m not sure if the other drivers down the way would be willing to stop and help!  I know we are all in a hurry, but I simply don’t get why people don’t stop for animals crossing the road.  They are a living, breathing beings and have just as much of a right to be here as you and me do!  Have a little patience!

I was reading an article from TreeHugger.com today, and it said: “Of the 207 species of turtle and tortoise alive today, 129 of them are listed by IUCN as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. That's an incredibly 62% of species! Though these species wear a suit of armor, they are incredible fragile and in need of protection by humans, from humans.”

Something to think about it!  And perhaps the next time you see one struggling to cross a busy road, you will be a friend to these vulnerable creatures who are in need of our help! :)

Until next time...


Namaste