Fat Turtle, also known as “Old One-Gear,” would often stare at the water’s surface for long periods, completely still.
Everyone called him “Old One-Gear,” not because he was old, but because he was chubby and moved slowly, like an old car stuck in first gear.
Old One-Gear was so fat that his body could barely fit inside his shell. He would get rained on, blown by the wind, and chilled by the cold.
These things were manageable, but the most embarrassing moment was when he attended a class reunion, and nobody recognized him. He almost missed out on the dinner. When it was time to dance after dinner, he didn’t have a partner. His big, clumsy feet nearly sent someone to the hospital when he stepped on them.
After the reunion, Old One-Gear felt downcast and kept staring blankly at the pond.
The duck brothers, Bright and Warm, went fishing in the pond and saw Old One-Gear.
“Old One-Gear, what are you doing?” they asked.
Old One-Gear hesitated and said, “Do you think my appearance is… well, you guys seem so energetic, like you have endless energy.”
“We’re slim,” Warm said straightforwardly.
Bright nudged his brother and smiled at Old One-Gear, “Warm didn’t mean to say you’re fat.”
Sigh, these brothers should just be blunt about it. Bright and Warm jumped into the pond and started catching fish.
What a delightful life! They were so agile, catching fish and shrimp, and bringing back baskets full of fish with their own hands. They were so respected. Old One-Gear decided to live like them.
Old One-Gear got excited and waved at the duck brothers, saying, “I’m going to lose weight!”
Bright asked curiously, “Where are you going to lose weight?”
“Around the world,” Old One-Gear replied.
Warm asked, “Who will you give the weight you lose to?”
Old One-Gear didn’t answer this silly question. He wished he could dash off, but he could only move slowly, like he was barely moving.
Old One-Gear persisted for three days until he finally walked out of the duck brothers’ sight.
After some time, the duck brothers received photos from Old One-Gear, taken at the seaside.
Then there were photos taken on a mountaintop.
In the desert.
At the Grand Canyon.
In the snowfields of the Arctic…
With each photo, he looked slimmer than the last.
After receiving Old One-Gear’s photo from the Arctic snowfields, the duck brothers didn’t get any more photos for a long time.
Just as the duck brothers were wondering if something had happened to Old One-Gear, they received a letter from him saying he accidentally hibernated in the Arctic.
The duck brothers laughed heartily after reading the letter.
“His weight loss plan is bound to fail,” Warm said.
“Who said it would fail?”
Suddenly, a familiar voice spoke behind them. It was Old One-Gear’s voice.
A turtle shell spun quickly on the ground, and then a thin, small turtle face peeked out from the shell.
“How do I look? Did I succeed in losing weight?” Old One-Gear asked.
The duck brothers stared at Old One-Gear for a long time. They couldn’t believe this was really Old One-Gear.
“How’s my figure?” Old One-Gear asked again.
“You’re not as fat as us!” Warm shouted.
Bright kicked Warm and said to Old One-Gear, “Warm didn’t mean you’re too skinny.”
Old One-Gear understood everything.
“I’m leaving!” Old One-Gear said.
“Where are you going?” Bright asked.
“Around the world, to gain weight!” Old One-Gear replied.
“Go find the weight you lost and bring it back,” Warm said with his usual silliness. Old One-Gear didn’t answer. He tried to rush forward but his skinny body slipped out of his shell. Embarrassed, he climbed back into his shell, put it on properly, and walked forward.
Old One-Gear would send photos of his weight gain journey.
Old One-Gear was so determined; he would definitely return to the pond, neither fat nor thin, just right, to meet the duck brothers again.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
