The turnip and the seashell

A TURNIP that once lived in a garden was very nostalgic of summer time and the carefree moments at the beach. “How nice it would be if we were at the sea now!”, he kept telling to the other fruit and vegetables of the garden who simply responded by reminding him that not all seasons of the year are suitable for swimming.

One fine Spring day, however, and with the Sun shining in the blue sky, the fruit and vegetables of the garden thought of going on an excursion. “Would you rather go to the sea or the mountain?”, the zucchini suggested and asked them to vote according to their preference. As soon as the turnip heard it, however, he flew with joy and insisted they all vote for the sea. Tired of hearing him repeat the same about seas and summertime over and over again, they decided to do his favor.

So, they all packed their bags and went to the nearest beach. They also took tablecloths, baskets filled with snacks, a volley ball and a kite along with them. After making sure no one was noticing him, the turnip also sneaked a bathing suit in his bag and a beach towel.

As soon as they found themselves at the beach, they split into teams: others flew the kite, whereas the rest played volley ball. So excited were they, that they took little notice of the turnip who walked away pretending to be gathering seashells. He, then, hid behind a tree and after wearing his bathing suit went back to find the other fruit and vegetables.

“See! The finest seashells are inside the water!”, the turnip exclaimed and took a dive, as if aiming to catch it. Yet, the water was so cold that he barely managed to stay a second inside it before he started shivering. He quickly ran to catch a towel, and the fruit and vegetables burst into laughter to see him pretending.

“It’s your fault for not being patient enough”, they told him as he wrapped himself up in order to get warm. They then explained to him that the seas remain cold during Spring even though the Sun shines in the skies.

As for our good turnip? After taking his lesson, he put the seashell he had gathered inside a glass bowl for consolation until Summer comes.

Rumor has it, that every time he takes the seashell close to his ear, he hears a sound coming from it that is highly reminiscent of that of the waves of the beach the day he collected it.