I am the king of the sea. I am as old as the reef and have seen everything. I have swam all the oceans of the world from the frigid seas populated with deep icebergs to the tropical waters surrounding coral islands. I have swam into deepest trenches, observed the ocean floors rumble and fold underneath mountains, and witnessed undersea volcanos rise into islands.

I have met all the creatures of the sea, from the penguins of the icy waters to the whale sharks of the deepest depths to the glowing jellies to the curious tubeworms and tiny crabs clustered around the heated vents. The killer whales race with me, the sharks ignore me after a nibble on my shell and a broken tooth, the dolphins launch themselves out of the sea for my amusement, and the tuna swirl around me playfully.

I have visited with the mermaids in hidden coves throughout the seas. Many do not know of the cities of others of their kind, and they shall not know from me as I keep their secrets. I am wise beyond measure as I have seen everything during my days in the sea.

I am not limited to the sea. I can swim onto the sands of the beaches and crawl upon the shore and baste in the warm sun. I have met creatures on the land that soar through the air and walk upon the ground. But the land is a strange place, and I am so slow there. Having met all the creatures of the sea, I wish to meet all the creatures of the land.

I was cautioned by the mermaids about what they called “men”, warning that they are wicked. But I have swam alongside their crafts that push across the top of the oceans. They wave at me high up on the decks with ceremonial shiny branches. These men are as curious about me as I am about them, which is why they have come to the sea. I am wise. They are no threat to anyone, and I shall visit with them as I have visited with every other creature. I followed them to a tropical island where I shall climb the sands and introduce myself to them...

***

No one heard from the wise and ancient sea turtle ever again. The sailors of the tallship, expecting to sail for only eighteen months, spent five years at sea. They barely made it to land with a famished crew, which was not their destination but a speck on the chart where they hoped to replenish their food and water stocks. The naturalist on board was mesmerized by the animals on the island, but the crew found that the large and slow and meaty turtle was not only delicious but would feed the entire crew for a week.