“It’s the fifth of Po, and Balthasar will come for his tribute,” Ariadne told her mother.
“You and that ancient creature are the talk of the village. Why on earth did you befriend him? Tribute givers shouldn’t get attached,” scolded her mother.
“I don’t care what they say. Balthasar is the kindest and wisest being I know, even more than the Oracle,” said the girl.
“Mind your tongue, or they’ll cut it out. Blasphemy is not taken kindly by the priests,” said her mother.
“Yes, Mother, I’m sorry. I should have known better,” said Ariadne.
“Take your tribute and be off with you, child. Don’t forget to ask for a good harvest,” cried her mother as she rushed out the door.
At the sea, Ariadne sat, waiting for her friend to arrive. “I hate this part. It makes me jumpy,” remarked Ariadne.
“Well, you should relax more and enjoy the sea air,” came a voice from the sea.
“There you are, you old rock. Took you long enough, why I’ve been here the whole morning,” said the girl.
“I have been here for two hundred million years, so you can wait a bit for the old man to crawl up the beach,” teased her friend.
“Why did you become my friend, Balthasar? The villagers say it’s wrong for the tribute giver to speak to the ancient ones,” Ariadne said.
“That’s easy. You were so full of energy when you first came that I thought it best to talk to you before you exploded into a puff of smoke. I also like your smile; in all these years, no one ever smiled at me,” said the ancient one.
“I liked your eyes. They made me happy, like looking into a well and seeing the reflection of an old friend,” replied Ariadne.
“Child, you are wiser than most and smarter than the rest,” said Balthasar.
“I don’t try to be. The other girls mock me and call me simple. I don’t mind because I have a friend who has seen the dawn of time, and that says a lot,” said Ariadne with a wry smile.
“True words, my friend. Now, about that pumpkin, I’m feeling peckish,” said Balthasar.
Ariadne gave the pumpkin to her friend, who dispatched it promptly. “Sweeter this year than last,” said the turtle.
“I hadn’t noticed,” replied Ariadne.
The two talked about many things. When the sun had reached its zenith, Balthasar bid farewell. The turtle promised to bring Ariadne a black pearl at the winter solstice.
“Stay safe, and when you return, I want you to tell me about when you and the world were young,” said the girl.
“That might take some time. If you bring me some grapes, I will be more than happy to tell you the tale,” replied the turtle, who slipped back into the sea.
Excited, Ariadne rushed home to tell her parents. Smiling, they shook their heads and wondered how their daughter’s best friend was a turtle.
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