On a warm spring day, Emi, a small pond turtle, basked in the sun on the banks of the Centa River, which flowed peacefully through the plain of Albenga. Emi was a lively Emys orbicularis ingauna, with a shiny shell and curious eyes. Every day, from her favorite spot, she could see the Gallinara Island outlined on the horizon. Its peculiar shape, resembling a giant sleeping turtle, had always fascinated Emi.
Chapter 1: Emi’s Dream
“I wonder what secrets that mysterious island holds?” Emi pondered, dreaming of exploring it. But there was a problem: Emi was a freshwater turtle and couldn’t swim in the sea. Despite this, her desire to uncover the island’s mysteries was too strong to ignore.
One day, as Emi lost herself in thought while strolling along the beach, she heard a gentle splash. Turning around, she saw a dolphin joyfully leaping in the sea near the shore. “Hello, little turtle!” exclaimed the dolphin with a smile. “I’m Esteban. I often see you looking at the island. Would you like to visit it?”
Caught by surprise, Emi replied enthusiastically, “Oh yes, I’ve wanted to for so long! But I can’t swim to the island.”
Esteban twirled in the water and replied, “Don’t worry, I know someone who can help us. Come with me!”
Chapter 2: Meeting Carletta
Esteban led Emi along the coast to a quiet bay. There, Emi met a majestic sea turtle, calmly resting on the sand. “Hello, I’m Carletta, a Caretta caretta by lineage,” the turtle introduced herself in a calm, deep voice. “Esteban told me about your desire to visit Gallinara Island.”
Emi nodded eagerly. “Yes, I want to discover its secrets!”
Carletta smiled wisely. “Then we shall be a team! I’ll take you to the island, but first, we must understand the sea and its currents. It’s an adventure that requires patience and caution.”
Emi listened carefully as Carletta and Esteban explained how to navigate the sea, what creatures they might encounter, and how to behave. Emi was excited and a bit nervous but knew she was in good hands.
After spending a few days familiarizing herself with the waves and currents, the moment to depart finally arrived. Emi climbed onto Carletta’s back, and with a leap, they plunged into the blue sea, followed by Esteban playing among the waves.
Chapter 3: The Island of Secrets
The journey to Gallinara Island was a magical experience. Emi watched in awe the underwater world, full of colorful fish and dancing seaweeds. When they finally reached the island, Emi was ecstatic. The land was filled with scents and colors never seen before.
Together, the three friends explored the island, discovering hidden caves and secret paths. Emi found a small pond in the center of the island, created by rain, where the water was as sweet as her native river. Here, Emi felt at home and realized that the island was not just a mysterious place, but also a bridge between her world and the marine one.
After spending an entire day exploring and playing, Emi, Esteban, and Carletta returned to the other shore along the coast to watch the sunset from the beach, with its colors gently touching the resting turtle island. Emi was grateful to her new friends for making her dream come true.
“I’m happy to have shared this adventure with you,” said Emi with a big smile. “Now I know the world is full of wonders to discover and friends to share them with.”
And so, Emi returned home with newfound awareness and a heart full of stories to tell, knowing that the island of her dreams was just the beginning of many more adventures.
*Liguria from a Fairy Tale. The Adventurous Turtle Emi and the Mysterious Turtle Island | 2024 | effe