Reading Notes: Turtle Anthology

The Turtle and the King by Ellen C. Babbitt

Characters: a turtle, King, multiple sons (probably 2), an old man, the king's men

Setting: Palace with a man-made lake, near a river

One character focus: The Turtle

1. The Turtle is in a new location/maybe a little confused
2. The Turtle is found originally swimming with the fish
3. The Turtle is originally gawked at and called a demon
4. Without even knowing what it is, people call for it's demise
5. The turtle can actually talk this whole time but doesn't until the old man gives his recommendation 
6. The turtle uses its skill and wit to trick the humans into putting him back into the water to "die"
7. He then gets to happily go home and mocks the people for not understanding him 

Do you want to keep the characters identity the same? Or do you want to change it in some way? (gender flip? add magical powers? etc. etc.) 

I would probably utilize this character but maybe not in the form of an animal. I might use it as a human? If I had to use an animal I would probably go for a pink fairy armadillo or something similar and have the humans like bury it alive. I might make it a misunderstood human that has taken her second form. 

(The Tortoise and the Two Ducks)

The Turtle and the Geese by Ellen C. Babbitt
Characters: a turtle, two geese

Setting: Not sure

One character focus: The Turtle

1. The turtle is friends with the geese, not his own kind
2. The turtle is adventurous and wants to go to this new place
3. The turtle agrees to the geese's demands
4. The turtle is embarrassed by the taunts
5. The turtle disobeys the geese and falls to his death
6. The people assert that his big mouth caused his death

Do you want to keep the characters identity the same? Or do you want to change it in some way? (gender flip? add magical powers? etc. etc.) 

I would keep the characters identity the same probably just as the amazingness of the idea of a turtle flying and dangling through the air. I would love to incorporate a character who is alone like the turtle in the previous story, and is super insecure. The turtle just wanted some friends but couldn't keep his mouth shut. I feel like this would transition well into like a Bachelor-esque story.