On the Path of Spiritual Work, contd.
by sHEALy

With cars, buses and trucks approaching at a speed of at least 45 miles per hour, he continued into the traffic looming over a four lane road. I could not believe my eyes at the size of this huge (32 inch) reptile, but more importantly, I could not believe that he was casually meandering onto this asphalt road. It would take the help of an angel to save this big boy.

Art by Linda Ravenscroft

I turned into the nearest street I could find and with fury began making my way back to the busy intersection knowing that a bite from a snapping turtle of this size could easily take off all of my fingers. Wondering how I was going to save the life of this beautifully fashioned creature I ran to the corner praying to see him still unharmed. There he marched now working his way to the middle of the first lane. Cars were swerving to avoiding him. I bit my lip and closed my eyes while still approaching him and then did what any lover of life would do.

Running to the side of the road I began waving and reaching out into the street trying to alert cars to stop. (It always amazes me that so many individuals will see a living creature in need of assistance—“me” and the turtle—yet not stop. Instead they swerve and only hope to avoid an inconvenience.)

Then, in answer to my prayers, another bright red SUV approached and seeing my waving hands stopped right in the middle of the street to avoid this awesome yet mud covered living spirit. Two young men wearing tags, on their clean-cut button-up white shirts, reading “Church of Jesus Christ” jumped from their vehicle with mouths open.

Together the three of us stopped traffic in this major intersection; both annoyed and delighted about fifty drivers, entertained at least two bus loads of tormenting middle-school kids and with a good amount of effort delivered our new friend safely into the back of the young men’s truck. And, although our new friend tried with lightning speed to whip his “fist-sized head” around to give us a painful bite, we saved his beautiful life.

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