A greenish figure flashed though some bushes and propelled itself across the path and into the water with a splash. Charlie and Violet laughed as they ran along the same path towards the spot where the frog had leaped into the waters of Hoan Kiem Lake. They peered into the water.
“Where did he go?” Charlie huffed, as he caught his breath.
Violet shrugged, “I can’t see him. Let’s keep going!”
The two took off again, passing massive, palm-like leaves and towards a great red bridge, which led across the lake. They reached a stone archway serving as an entrance-way to the bridge and waited. They were on a family vacation and did not want to loose their parents in the crowds. After crossing the bridge with their parents, Charlie and Violet wandered around the little island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. They were fascinated with the different plants and trees they found, and with the temple which lay on the island.
While near the edge of the island, Violet started, “Look!” she cried, pointing to the water.
The two stared at the water’s edge. There, floating at the surface and gazing at them, was a great, golden turtle. Speechless, they continued to stare.
The turtle slowly nodded for them to come closer. It looked at them and then turned its head towards its great shell.
“I think that it wants us to climb onto his back.” Charlie whispered.
Violet nodded solemnly. The two carefully climbed upon the back of the great turtle. Its beautiful shell had an intricate design of shapes and symbols, but what stood out most to the children, was the sword which it had strapped to its shell.
“Hold on to the sword.” The turtle said, its head turned slightly back. “You will be safe.”
The children hung on tightly, taking a deep breath as the turtle dove beneath the surface of the lake. The water was surprisingly clear, and the sunlight danced along the sandy bottom of the lake which sloped quickly downward towards the lake’s centre. The great turtle continued to swim downwards, and soon, a great, golden castle began to appear in front of them. The turtle turned its head back as if to say, “Welcome to my home.”
He swam in and around the great castle, showing them beautiful turrets and grand halls. The children found that they were somehow able to hold their breath the entire time without difficulty. The turtle showed them the breathtaking architecture of his palace in detail, touring each room, and swimming all around the outside of the castle and its courtyard.
Finally, the turtle turned back to them again and looked up towards the surface of the water. The children nodded, still holding tight to the sword, strapped to the turtle’s back. Quickly, the turtle glided towards the surface, and the children looked back to get a glimpse of the beautiful castle one last time.
Breaking the surface, the three were bathed in the oranges, reds, and pinks of sunset. The turtle’s back was a brilliant canvas of colour in the fading light of the day. As they looked around in awe at the beauty of the lake, the turtle slowly paddled towards the little island and let the children off at its shore.
“Thank you!” Both children whispered. The turtle simply nodded, and it looked almost as if he were smiling. A moment later, he noiselessly slipped below the surface of the water and was gone.
