Why Did the Turtle Cross the Road?

In one week, I have seen on three different occasions good Samaritans, perfectly looking sane individuals, stop traffic, get out of their car on a busy roadway, and risk their lives to help a turtle cross the road. I’m not sure if it’s turtle mating season, or the turtles are just as restless as the locals, given the dicey economy and daily doom and gloom financial news. But, whatever the turtles’ motivation, these creatures seem to be out in full force on suburban roadways. What is it about a turtle that seems to bring out the best in us? While we might think twice about stopping to help a stranded motorist (easier to dial 9-1-1 we reason-they’re the professionals plus I’m sure Road Ranger or AAA is on its way) Few can resist the silent cry for help from a cute wayward turtle who has ventured into the concrete jungle in search of a pocket of greenery and a pond.

Case in point: Headed down International Parkway mid-day, I pump my brakes as I see the car ahead of me come to a dead stop. My first impulse was to honk the horn at the idiot who stopped short almost causing an accident but then my heart melted as I saw this twenty-something man jump out of his car scoop up a dawdling turtle and walk him safely to the other side of the roadway. Next encounter: I am driving down Lake Emma as I approach two lanes of traffic at a standstill. Yet another good Samaritan saving a turtle as he simultaneously directs traffic with one hand while holding the lost turtle in the other. Then just yesterday, I exit the gates of Lake Forest and stop suddenly: another turtle crossing the road unassisted. A woman in an SUV suddenly jumps out barefooted dressed in her tennis outfit and runs across the on-coming traffic exiting the gates and whisking the turtle away from his certain fate as road kill.

Although I doubt crossing guards for turtles are in the municipal budget, maybe we can designate turtle crossways much like we have those road signs warning motorists of bears and assorted wildlife activity. We need the turtle perhaps more than it needs us. The cute creature brings out the best in us, reminds us of our humanity and challenges us to do the right thing. Now more than ever, it’s comforting to see humanity at work. People may be stressed about their mortgage, the fate of their 401K, heck- their jobs for that matter but everyone seems to have a soft spot for the turtle. It gives me hope that we all hold on to our compassion even in tough times, especially in tough times.