The Dragon and the Turtle Hardcover - 2010

Excerpt

Excerpt
 
Padraig landed on a branch and popped a bug into his mouth. He grinned as he chewed. The bug was crunchy on the outside and squishy on the inside, and it tasted like nuts and sweet oranges. The treat was yummy, but he still had room in his tummy for one more crunchy, squishy, nutty bug.
 
He looked through the leaves.
No flying bugs.
 
He looked on the branches.
No crawling bugs.
 
He flew to the ground to look for creeping bugs. Instead he found
a grumpy-faced turtle.
 
Padraig forgot his rumbling tummy.
 
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
 
“I’m turned around,” the turtle whispered.
 
“You’re not turned around. You’re looking right at me.”
 
The turtle gave an exasperated sigh. “‘Turned around’
means lost. I’ve lost my house.”
 
“Oh.” Padraig sat down with his wings folded and his tail
curled in a neat circle. “What’s your name?” he asked.
 
Roger,” said the turtle.
 
“Pleased to meet you, Roger,” he said. “My name is Padraig.”
 
Roger nodded. “Nice to meet you.”
 
“How did you lose your house?” asked Padraig.
 
“I was playing pirates,” Roger explained.
“My ship hit a squall and was blown off
course. Now I’m stuck on a deserted island.
Which is fine, but I’m getting hungry.”
 
“I see,” said Padraig. “These waters can
be dangerous.”
 
“Indeed.” Roger nodded.
 
“What does your house look like?”
 
“Brown like my shell,” said Roger.
 
“Okay. Wait here. I’ll go scout.”