Harmony on the Lily Pad
Old Man Tiberius was no ordinary tortoise. While his brethren contentedly munched on river greens, Tiberius harboured a secret passion: music. He’d found an ancient pipa, washed ashore after a long-ago storm, and with patient dedication, had taught himself to play. His favourite performance stage was a sturdy lotus flower, its broad petals a comfortable seat. Above him, a vast lotus leaf served as a natural parasol, shielding him from the sun's harsh glare.
One tranquil morning, as the mist still clung to the water, Tiberius plucked a gentle melody from his pipa. The notes danced on the air, weaving through the rustling reeds and the chirping of early birds. Fish peeked their heads above the water, their scales shimmering in time with the tune. A wise old heron, perched on a nearby branch, closed its eyes, its long neck swaying rhythmically.
As the music flowed, a young dragonfly with wings like stained glass landed delicately on the edge of Tiberius’s lotus flower. It remained perfectly still, antennae twitching, seemingly mesmerised by the sound. Tiberius played on, his wrinkled face creased in concentration, his heart filled with the joy of sharing his music with the quiet world around him. For in that moment, on a simple lotus blossom, under the shade of a giant leaf, an old tortoise and his pipa created a harmony that echoed through the peaceful wetlands.
