Tilly the Turtle wanted to join the big pond race. All her friends said, Turtles are too slow.

But Tilly believed in trying.

On race day, the frogs leapt, the ducks paddled fast, and Tilly took her first step… slowly.

Some giggled. “She’ll never catch up!”

But Tilly kept going — step by step.

As the others zoomed ahead, they forgot to look where they were going and got tangled in the lily vines.

Tilly arrived slowly… but safely. She helped the others out with a big tug.

“You didn’t win,” said the owl, “but you finished with courage and care.”

Everyone clapped for Tilly — the turtle who taught them that slow can be steady, and kind can be strong.