Old Tomsen the Tortoise

“Why the long face, little one?” came a slow, gentle voice.

It was Tomsen, the old tortoise, who had lived in the garden longer than anyone could remember.

Pip explained everything — the pokes, the yelps, the lonely feeling of wanting closeness but never quite reaching it.

Tomsen nodded slowly. “I have a hard shell, you know. I understand a thing or two about this.”

“You do?” Pip asked.

“Love doesn't only come in one shape,” Tomsen said. “Perhaps it's time we found yours.”