Hello friends! I hope you’re all staying safe and well at home. I know it’s such a difficult time and one that was really unexpected. I’ve been “trying” to keep myself busy these few weeks. The kids stayed home for the last 3 weeks before the end of term. They did most of their school work online and had zoom conferences with their classmates and teachers. It’s such a bizarre experience. I tried really hard not to get too involved with their work but sometimes when they needed help, I stepped in. Sometimes I can’t help myself 🙂 I also learned that my 7 year old gets easily distracted at home!

So with the kids at home and what’s happening in the world, I really felt like I was working on this tortoise pattern for a long time. I even managed to write up a short story, but I’m pleased to say it’s finally finished and available from Etsy, Amigurumipatterns and LoveCrafts.

Meet Gloria the Tortoise. Gloria was leisurely strolling along and cleaning the beach of her home the Galapagos Island when she suddenly stepped on a seashell. Little does she know the seashell has a nice little magical surprise for her.

“Oh no, I’m so very sorry there little seashell! I didn’t see you,” said a sad and worried Gloria.

“That’s alright my friend. Don’t worry, it was an accident,” said the seashell.

Gloria wanting to make sure she didn’t cause any harm asked, “Are you hurt?”

“No, not at all. In fact I’m glad you’re here,” exclaimed the seashell.

Puzzled, Gloria asked, “Huh? What do you mean? Why me?”

“Well you see, I’ve been wandering around this beach for a very long time and I was hoping that one day I would get to meet you. I see you everyday cleaning the beach. How so very thoughtful and helpful of you to do that,” the seashell answered.

Gloria looks around the beach, “I love this place, I love my home. I don’t like to see it scattered with so much garbage. I have to clean it up. I also collect scraps to cover the broken piece of shell on my back. I broke it not so long ago when I slipped on a rock.”

With that, the seashell magically and gracefully floated in the air.

“Oh. Oh my! H – how are you doing that seashell?” Gloria asked, her eyes wide in amazement.

“For you are a helpful, caring tortoise with a great big heart, I give you this new shell and a marvellous new start!” chanted the seashell.

Gloria rose into the air, her shell turns bright and shiny pink, the broken piece was no longer there.

“Oh seashell, my sincerest thank you!” said Gloria gently gliding back down onto the sandy beach.

“You are very welcome my friend,” nodded the seashell. “Oh, and one more thing.”

“What’s that?” asked Gloria.

The seashell calmly glides back down to the sandy shore, “You can enjoy your leisurely walks. Anytime you want to clean the beach, just blink and the beach will be clean. Your hard work will be done in a flash. Once again, thank you for showing kindness to our home.”

Gloria was skeptical but the seashell did give her a shiny new shell. So she tries her new magic powers and begins to blink her eyes. Slowly, she opens them and scans her surroundings. Alas the beach was clean! The seashell had indeed given Gloria a marvellous gift!

Gloria wanted to express more gratitude to the seashell but as she looked around, the seashell had already burrowed deep into the sand.

Did you enjoy my little story on Gloria? I’ve been meaning to make shorter stories for my amigurumis. Not just short snippets and character profiles but rather a short story. Definitely planning on more stories for upcoming patterns. 🙂

You can start making Gloria today. Gloria’s pattern is now available in my webstores Etsy, Amigurumipatterns and LoveCrafts.

Fun fact: When I was young, I used to think that a turtle and a tortoise were the same animal – when it’s young it’s called a turtle and when it’s old, it’s called a tortoise. It took me many years to realise one lived on land and the other in the sea 🙂

I’d love to see your finished Gloria – post a picture on Instagram with #helloyellowyarn (or you can tag me @maryjcarlos) or post on my Facebook page.

Happy crocheting!

MJ

---

Like my Facebook page and follow me on Instagram to see upcoming projects, patterns, tutorials and store updates.