COUNTRYSIDE YARNS
Tall Tale Or Truth? You Decide!
The Turtle Tale, Part 2
by Janis Stein

Join me in the continuation as the Stein children join their friends down by Adler's creek. To pass the summer day, young Leo catches a mud turtle, a turtle that will come back baring its brand well over a half of a century later.

The boys were sure Mrs. Adler might enjoy Leo's catch, so they, along with the girls, climbed the hill and to the house they went. Once inside, the turtle was proudly presented to Mrs. Adler, who wasn't quite ever sure why the boys always thought she might find enjoyment in the many reptiles they continually brought to her door. After a mother's appropriate compliments, she ushered the children back outside with their snapper for she certainly didn't want the turtle under her roof!

Discouraged not in the least, the five teens went back outside, and Leo shared an idea with his friends. He had heard of others who had carved their initials on the back of turtles' shells, and with a little time to kill on their Saturday afternoon, Leo pulled out his pocket knife as the group headed for the shed. The shell was harder than he had anticipated, but with hands as steady as a surgeon, he carefully carved 'LS' on the turtle's shell. After the task was completed, the five teenagers stood back in admiration before returning to the creek once again to release the snapper.

Leo and Helen quickly said good-bye to their friends, for the hour was getting late and even if they cut across the fields on their way home they would have to hurry because they still had chores to do when they returned home. The day had been like so many other good ones, and both the Stein's and the Adler's treasured the many memories made down by the creek.

*****

Fast-forward 6 decades to the year of 1998. An area farmer is working down by the creek that runs through his son's farmland just a mile from where young Leo found his prized snapper in 1932. He spots a number of turtles but one in particular warrants him getting a closer look. The snapper is big, about 12 inches across and 18 inches in length, but he's seen big turtles before. What catches his attention are the markings on the turtle's shell and he bends down to inspect. The initials 'LS' are clearly visible, and though he wonders about that, he has a job to do and moves along to finish the work he began.

It looked as if old 'LS' had traveled only a mile in almost 70 years and, while it's possible he traveled further, it was evident this particular turtle called the White River home. The topic of LS, the turtle, came up in the presence of a lady by the name of Annie, and she couldn't quite believe her ears.

You see Annie, who was there that beautiful summer day when Leo Stein so carefully carved his initials on that turtle's shell, is still alive and well, as are Billy and Johnny Adler, too. Annie immediately called her brothers to ensure her memory was accurate, and they recalled the tale as precisely as she.

After 70 years and as far as folks know, LS the turtle is alive and well, too, and roams the only river he's ever known.

The heart of this turtle tale was written as it was told to me, with a bit of creativity thrown in by the writer. Many thanks to Bill Adler, John Adler and Annie Sawielski for sharing their treasured memories.

© 2006 Janis Stein

Editor's note: While Leo Stein's turtle was making his way up and down White River during the 1990s, Anna Sawielski made her way back to the classroom with one thing on her mind: earning her high school diploma. Sawielski attended Sherman #1, completing the eighth grade at the age of 14, and like so many young people years ago, attending high school just wasn't an option. All that changed in 1993 when Sawielski earned her high school diploma through the Deckerville Adult Education system at the age of 78. Sawielski will soon reach another milestone on April 3rd when she celebrates her 90th birthday. Could college be in her future? Happy Birthday, Annie!