"Every Sunday morning, I go for a light jog in a park near my house. A lake can be seen in one of the park's corners. I see the same elderly woman sitting at the water's edge with a small metal cage beside her every time I jog by this lake.
My curiosity got the best of me this past Sunday, so I stopped jogging and walked over to her. I discovered the metal cage was actually a little trap when I drew closer. Three turtles were unhurt and cautiously walking around the trap's base. She was carefully washing a fourth turtle in her lap with a rubbery brush.
I said, 'Hello.' 'Every Sunday morning, I see you here.' I'd like to know what you're doing with these turtles if you don't mind my prying.'
She gave a kind smile. She said, "I'm washing off their shells." "Anything on a turtle's shell, such as algae or muck, decreases its ability to absorb heat and makes it difficult for it to swim." Over time, it might erode and damage the shell.'
‘Wow! That's very thoughtful of you!' I was ecstatic.
'Every Sunday morning, I spend a couple of hours relaxing by this lake and helping these little boys out,' she continued. 'It's just my peculiar approach of making a difference.'
'But don't most freshwater turtles have algae and scum hanging from their shells their entire lives?' I inquired.
'They do, unfortunately,' she said.
I rubbed my temples. 'Don't you think your time would be better spent elsewhere?' I mean, I believe your efforts are admirable, but freshwater turtles can be found in lakes all over the world. And 99 percent of these turtles don't have generous people like you to assist them in cleaning their shells. So, no offense taken... 'However, how are your localized efforts here making a genuine difference?'
The woman burst out laughing. 'Sweetie, if this little guy could talk, he'd tell you I just made all the difference in the world,' she whispered, looking down at the turtle in her lap as she scraped the last piece of algae from its shell.