It Wasn’t His Box

The tortoise lived in a wooden box in the garden. The box had a little gate, and this morning the gate was open.

The tortoise walked out. He was free!

He walked to the big flower pot. He put his head in. It was dark. It wasn’t his box.

He walked to the black boot by the door. He put his head in. It smelled bad. It wasn’t his box.

He walked to the cat and put his head under it. The cat got up and walked away. It wasn’t his box.

Now the tortoise wanted to go back.

Then the house door opened. The girl came out with the lettuce. It was feeding time!

The tortoise walked fast. His head hit the leg of a chair. Then he saw his little gate. He went in.

The girl put the lettuce in the box.

“Good boy,” she said. “You never go anywhere.”