Once upon a time, in a small cottage on the side of a volcano, there lived a tortoise.

“Tortoise! Tortoise! Wake up!”

The tortoise groaned. He’d been sleeping a very long time, and he wasn’t sure who he was or what was going on.

“Tortoise!” The muffled voice was coming from behind the thick front door. Was he talking to him? Was he Tortoise? He decided that he was.

“Who is it?” Tortoise said groggily.

“It’s Gecko,” the muffled voice said. “Open the door!”

“I’m sleeping,” Tortoise said, rubbing sandy eyes. The curtains were closed, the room lit only by a small glowing hole in the door.

“Not any more,” Gecko said. “So you might as well get up and let me in. Tortoise?”

“Alright, alright,” Tortoise grumbled, sitting up. “Keep your tail on.” He slowly slipped his dressing gown over his head and then opened the door.

Sunlight blazed around a lizard’s silhouette.

Tortoise put his arm up. “Ugh!” He squinted. “Sorry, who are you again?”

The gecko stared at him blankly. “It’s Gecko. I’m your crazy but loveable friend and we’re about to go on an amazing adventure around the world.”

Tortoise blinked. The gecko standing before him was naked except for a loincloth and a toothy necklace. “Oh. Right. What time is it?”

“It’s after eight,” Gecko said.

“You woke me up at eight?” Tortoise said.

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“After eight. Don’t be grumpy—spring’s wasting away. Hibernation’s for hedgehogs. C’mon!” Gecko hopped excitedly from foot to foot, his tail swishing behind him.

Tortoise sighed. He knew his friend well enough to know that he wouldn’t take no for an answer, at least not for very long. “Alright. After my morning meditation.”

“But—”

“Gecko…” Tortoise said.

“Okay, okay,” Gecko said, putting up his hands and nodding quickly. “But make it a quick one.” He peered over Tortoise’s shoulder. “Can I have a drink of water? I’m really thirsty.”

“Knock yourself out.”

Gecko darted past and picked up the basin from the low table, drinking while Tortoise neatly rolled up his sleeping mat.

“Do you have to drink so noisily?” Tortoise said.

Gecko paused for breath, licking an eye with his huge tongue. “I’m thirsty. And my eyes are dusty. Anyway, aren’t you supposed to be meditating?”

“Just don’t drink all of it, alright. It took me a long time to collect that.”

Gecko looked down at the bowl, and back at Tortoise. He actually looked a little remorseful.

Tortoise sighed, and plodded out into the sun to meditate.

#

When Tortoise opened his eyes, an hour later, the water basin was sitting in front of him, half full. He smiled, feeling nice and warm. The sky was blue, without a cloud in sight, and far below the dark ocean stretched to the horizon. A breeze ruffled the tussocks of grass and mottled lichen encrusting the rocky ground around him.

Seeing Tortoise had opened his eyes, Gecko uncurled himself and cracked his neck a couple of times. “Sorry,” he said. “I spilled some of it on the way back.”

“That’s alright,” Tortoise said. He picked up the basin and drank all of it. The water was cold and fresh, and dripped from his chin. He sighed contentedly. “Thank you.”

“Now can we go?” Gecko pleaded.

Tortoise looked at him.

“Please?” Gecko said.

“Where?” Tortoise said at last, against his better judgement. “What is it?”

Gecko grinned, eyes wide. “It’s a surprise. Come on!” And he dashed off down the steep slope before Tortoise could ask any more questions.

Tortoise sighed. But, after a moment, he pulled himself to his feet. He walked over and reached through the front door, taking his straw hat from the hook and putting it on his head. He pulled the door closed, firmly, and took up the walking stick leaning against the house. Then he followed Gecko at a more leisurely pace, as if going for his usual morning walk.

Tortoise had a bad feeling he wouldn’t be home for lunch.

##

Next episode: First Contact