Chapter 2 – The Miracle of Light

Chapter 2 – The Miracle of Light

Before the sun stirred from its slumber, the little girl turtle bubbled with excitement for the day ahead. She had discovered a paradise and a potential friend, one who had a special way of making music from turtles.

However, the days were growing colder, and the urgency to meet her friend before winter set in weighed on her. Ornate box turtles like her brumate, which is different than hibernating, but it is still a kind of survival mode for the cold months when food is scarce. They slow down their breathing, heartbeat, and become mostly inactive. Being a cold-blooded reptile, she needed the sun’s warmth to move.

As the sun’s rays peeked through, Malcolm and Mr. Vader, the dog and cat duo, embarked on their morning escapades. They amused her as they chased the birds who were feeding on insects in the grass. The little girl turtle anxiously awaited the human boy, Levi, hoping today would be the day.

Hours seemed to drift by, but finally, Malcolm and Mr. Vader scampered inside. Levi emerged, lugging a white trash bag to the outdoor trash can. The little girl turtle scuttled as fast as her tiny legs could carry her, positioning herself by Levi’s back door, yearning to catch his attention.

Levi, instead of going inside, began pacing. Tears streamed down his face, reminiscent of the cheetah’s sorrow during creation. He sang the words of Psalm 18 in Hebrew, and when he reached verse 48, he wailed, “My deliverer from my enemies. You lift me up above those who rise against me; You deliver me from a man of violence.” Collapsing to his knees, Levi sobbed, grappling with the pain of losing his cousin, the hatred against his people, and wondering why Hashem did not protect the ones who obeyed His Torah, like his cousin, David.

Touched by Levi’s grief, the little girl turtle, for the first time in her life, felt tears prickling her eyes. Moved by empathy, she waddled over, nuzzling against Levi, a silent gesture of comfort. Startled, Levi noticed her and found solace in her presence.

“Shalom, my name’s Levi, from the tribe of Levi. And who do I have the pleasure of meeting?” Levi spoke, a glimmer of joy in his eyes.

The little girl turtle, filled with gladness, attempted to speak English and Hebrew, something she had never done before. “Shalom Levi, I am so happy to finally meet you. I don’t have a name yet. But if you have a mamma, she could name me, as I never met my mamma. Be sure to tell her that I am a cute girl, so I need a very special name!”

Levi, bewildered, asked about her family. The little girl turtle shared the harsh reality of being a turtle—mamma turtles lay eggs and leave. She never knew their parents, but she longed for a mamma. Levi, unfamiliar with the intricacies of ornate box turtles, and assuming she was an orphan, welcomed her to live on their property. The concept of talking turtles seemed beyond belief to him.

“Are you sure you’re not a tortoise?” he quizzed. “You’re on the land, not in the water.”

“No, I’m definitely an ornate box turtle, Terrapene Ornata Ornata, if we are speaking scientifically,” she replied. “I love science; it was my best subject in box turtle school.”

Levi, pinching himself to ensure it wasn’t a dream, marveled at the talking turtle. Their exchange continued, with the little girl turtle explaining her dislike of being alone, a sentiment not typical for box turtles, and Levi sharing his passion for science with her, too. Especially astronomy!

Levi, called away by his abba, left with a promise to continue the conversation with his friend. The little girl turtle could not believe her ears. Levi labeled her, “friend.” And while she is given to being overly dramatic, she was quite certain this was the happiest day of her life.

Levi told his abba of his new friend and insisted he come meet her. As Mr. Kohen, Levi’s abba, was introduced to the little girl turtle, it quickly became apparent that he was prevented from hearing her speak English and seemed to think she made this cute chirp noise. Was he too occupied with the cares of this world to discern her words? Evidently Levi’s abba did not have ears to hear, at this time. This outcome perplexed Levi and the little girl turtle. Levi said his goodbyes and went to take on the serious task before him.

Levi and his abba engaged in making pure olive oil—a sacred family tradition for Hanukkah. It was a method they had learned from their family in the Promised Land while they visited there. Levi’s abba reminded him of his duty to pass down this tradition to his sons.

The little girl turtle stretched her neck to catch a glimpse of Levi beating the olives, as she was fascinated by Levi’s activities. She longed to be part of Levi’s family.

As evening settled, Levi and his family discussed the updates on the war in Israel, the approaching joy of Hanukkah, and Levi’s new friend.

They brainstormed names for the little girl turtle, and as Levi crunched into a Gingersnap crust of Pumpkin Cheesecake, inspiration struck. “GINGERSNAPS!!! That’s it. She’s a turtle, so she snaps, and she has ginger-brown colored eyes! GingerSnaps!”

The family cheered, agreeing it was the perfect name. As the little girl turtle nestled under her bush, unbeknownst to Levi, she softly whispered her thanks to Elohim for sending her a friend in him. Her dreams of the next day elaborately danced in her TINY – TURTLE – MIND.

Levi, on the other hand, his mind works more logically, in part due to his autism, systematically prepared for bed that night. But before falling asleep, he made sure to thank Adonai, whom he also calls Hashem, for bringing him a new friend amid his struggles. Maybe Hashem had not abandoned him.

LET’S TALK:

How is the LIGHT miraculous in your life on this second night of Hanukkah?

FUN BOX TURTLE FACTS:

Did you know when they are mature that female box turtles have brown eyes and male box turtles generally have bright red eyes?