Welcome to the Turtle Tales series.
Limu, the blue turtle is an adapted folktale from Hawaii. Originally written by Kimo Armitage, it’s a story about perseverance, friendship, and being kind at heart.
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Transcript
Every year, thousands of baby turtles climb out of their sandy nests and make their way to the ocean. This year, out popped another baby turtle but this one was blue!
His parents named him Limu.
The tiny blue turtle opened its big eyes, shook the sand off its head, and started to make its way to the ocean.
When all the other turtles saw the blue turtle they started to laugh. They pointed their flippers at the poor turtle and teased him.
“No one likes me,” the blue turtle said.
He dunked his head under the surf and rode out to sea.
Children, how did Limu feel when other turtles teased him?
Growing up in the sea, Limu the blue turtle would meet other turtles, but after looking at Limu other turtles would laugh and swim away.
“No one wants to be my friend,” Limu said sadly.
But growing up was not all bad, Limu would bodysurf in the big waves and he would have fun chasing colourful fishes into the coral.
One day when he was eating his favourite seaweed off some rocks he heard someone crying. When Limu looked up he saw a little Opihi.
Children Opihi belongs to the broad category of marine snails and has conical shells.
“Why are you crying?” asked Limu.
“I am so sad. I miss my sister who lives far away,” cried the little Opihi.
“I can take you,” said the blue turtle. “I can swim really fast and we will be there in no time.”
“You are such a nice turtle,” said the Opihi. “My name is Nani.”
“My name is Limu. Hop on my back and we leave right now,” said the blue turtle.
The Opihi jumped on Limu’s back. She hung on tight as the blue turtle swam under the water. They swam near the surface and they swam deep in the deep part of the water. They laughed with the family of seals playing in the water.
All of a sudden, the water became black. Nani was very scared.
“What is it ?” she cried.
Children, can you guess who could that be?
When Limu looked up he saw he had bumped into a big whale. The whale was crying.
“What's wrong?” Limu asked.
“I was swimming in the deep water near a sunken ship and I got a big piece of wood stuck in my flipper,” the whale cried, “It hurts so much.”
“Maybe I can help,” said Limu.
Limu bit onto the piece of wood and pulled with all his might. He pulled and pulled and pulled.
“You can do it!” yelled Nani.
Suddenly, the wood came out!
The whale was indeed very happy.
“How can I ever thank you?” asked the whale.
“My flipper is as good as new.”
“Glad I could help. My name is Limu,” the blue turtle said.
Children, think of a time you have helped someone?
That’s nice. I am sure helping others made you feel good.
“My name is Jonah,” replied the whale. “Limu, you are a good-hearted Turtle. Thanks again.”
The blue turtle started swimming again with Nani, the little Opihi on his back. After a day of travelling the blue Turtle and the little Opihi could see the beautiful bay where Nani's sister lived. Many different kinds of colourful fish lived in the reef.
As Limu looked at all the different types of seaweed, he was delighted. There is so much food to eat here, he thought to himself!
“There is my sister’s home,” cried Nani. “I am so happy!” how can I ever thank you enough for bringing me here.”
“I’m happy that I could help,” said Limu.
They pulled closer to the water’s edge where Nani’s sister lived.
Nani let out a big yell “Ooh Lani”.
Lani saw Nani and cried tears of joy for she was happy to see her sister too. Nani jumped off Limu’s back and hugged her sister.
“Thank you so much Limu,” said Lani,” You are a great friend to my sister and me I am so glad to see Nani. Indeed you have a big heart.”
Then she told Limu, "Please eat some seaweed."
Limu ate and ate. He had never seen so many different types of seaweed. In fact, he was so busy eating that he did not see how far he had drifted from the rocky shore. All of a sudden he saw two beady eyes looking at him.
Then he saw a lot of beady eyes and big dark shapes and Limu became very afraid.
“You look good enough to eat,” said one of the dark shapes when it moved closer. Limu saw that it was a shark.
“You will make a delicious lunch,” said another shark.
“We have never eaten a blue turtle before,” called out another one.
Just then a big black shadow covered Limu the big black shadow started to flip the sharks high into the sky one by one. the other sharks were afraid and swam away as fast as they could.
Children, can you guess who that big, black shadow was?
“It looked like you needed some help Limu,” said the whale.
“Oh, thank you Jonah, you saved my life,” said Limu.
“That's what friends are for, See you later Limu,” said the whale as he swam away.
Limu swam back to Lani's home.
He was so happy because he was in a beautiful place with his friends and he knew that no matter what he looked like on the outside others liked him because of the good turtle he was on the inside.
