The turtle came out of the Zanzibar Lake

and looked all around. “Now, who should I take

on adventures with me?” The girls and the boys

all jumped, waved their hands, and left their beach toys.

“Well, first we will stop at the Mudgy-Fudge Store.

Choose whatever you want, and then choose some more.

Then maybe a trip to the shoe store. We’ll buy some new shoes,

and that will be headlines in Zanzibar News.

Let’s go to the fair and buy great big balloons,

then off we’ll go skiing down slippery dunes.

Who’s coming? I ask you again. Who’s coming with me

on all of my travels? Come, Susie and Lee

and Fredric and Jane. Join up with me now,

you’ll be glad that you did. Look, see that pink cow?

She gives strawberry milk that tastes yummy-yum.

You won’t want to miss a small crumble or crumb

of the Universe Bakery’s cookies and cakes

made of raspberry frosting and chocolate fudge lakes.

And then, as I ponder, I think we should fly

on the backs of some eagles high up in the sky.

Look down and see trains just as tiny as specks

but be careful, my friends, and don’t hurt your necks.

We’ll land in a field of soft fluffified grass

and hear the bells ringing, those bells made of brass,

announcing that school is about to begin.

Wait, stop, do not cry. Please put back your grin.

My friends, worry not, I will take you with me,

my pals Jane and Fredric and Susie and Lee.

No assignments or chalk dust or homework for you….

just me, Mr. Turtle, who makes dreams come true.”