Tilly the Turtle Learns to Be on Time - A Children's Story

Tilly the Turtle Learns to Be on Time

By Bill Conley

Moral to the Story:
When we show up on time, it tells others they are important to us.
It means we care about their time, their plans, and their feelings.
Being late, even just a little, can cause our friends to feel forgotten or frustrated.
But when we plan ahead and make the effort to be ready, we build trust, kindness, and strong friendships that last.

Tilly the Turtle lived in a shady spot near Maple Pond, where tall grass tickled the water and dragonflies zipped through the air. She was a kind turtle, with a big round shell, curious eyes, and a gentle heart.

Tilly loved many things—napping in the sun, munching clover, floating on her back, and talking with her friends. But there was one thing Tilly wasn’t very good at…

She was almost always late.

When her friends planned a picnic, Tilly showed up after the last bite.
When they played tag, Tilly arrived after the game was over.
And when Benny the Beaver built a raft at 10 o’clock sharp—Tilly came at 11.

“Sorry,” she would say with a little shrug, “I guess I took too long!”

Her friends still liked her. But more and more, they were starting to feel frustrated.

One sunny morning, Ellie the Squirrel had exciting news.

“Let’s all meet at Daisy Hill at 3:00,” she said. “There’s going to be a butterfly parade! They fly through once a year!”

“Wow!” said Max the Mink.

“Beautiful!” chirped Charlie the Chick.

“I’ll be there!” said Tilly with a happy nod.

That afternoon, Max arrived early with a blanket. Charlie brought a berry snack. Ellie bounced in with her camera.

The clock ticked.

3:00 came. No Tilly.

3:10 came. Still no Tilly.

At 3:15, the butterflies arrived—hundreds of them, big and small, their wings dancing in the light like flower petals in the wind.

“It’s starting!” said Ellie.

“It’s beautiful!” said Charlie.

At 3:25, Tilly slowly appeared over the hill.

“Am I late?” she asked.

Everyone turned.

“The butterflies already passed,” Ellie said gently.

“Oh no,” Tilly sighed. “I missed it.”

The friends packed up their things. Nobody was mad—but they were sad.

As they walked home, Max spoke up. “Tilly, we love you, but… it’s hard when you’re always late.”

Charlie nodded. “We wait and wait, and sometimes we miss things.”

Tilly’s heart sank. She never meant to make anyone sad.

That evening, she sat by the pond, staring at her reflection. “I didn’t mean to be late. I just… took my time like always.”

A breeze whispered through the trees.

She thought about her friends. She thought about the butterflies. She thought about how she felt when she missed out.

“I want to do better,” she whispered.

The next day, Tilly had an idea. She would practice being early—just once—to see how it felt.

She got up early. She packed her things the night before. She even practiced walking a little faster.

Ellie had invited everyone to a pancake breakfast at 8:00 a.m.

Tilly arrived at 7:45.

“You’re early!” Ellie gasped.

“I wanted to surprise you,” Tilly said, smiling.

“You did!” Ellie cheered.

Max and Charlie arrived soon after, and the group laughed, ate pancakes, and played games all morning.

Tilly had never had so much fun—not just because she was there for all of it, but because her friends were so happy to see her on time.

From that moment on, Tilly started planning ahead.

She still moved slowly—because she was a turtle—but she left earlier, got ready sooner, and set little reminders.

One day, Max planned a race at the creek.

“Let’s meet at 2:00,” he said. “I need help setting up the cones.”

Tilly got there at 1:55, ready to help.

“You’re amazing!” Max said.

The next day, Charlie invited everyone to a music concert under the trees at 6:00.

Tilly was there at 5:50, with her leaf blanket already spread out.

“Tilly’s always on time now!” said Charlie. “We can count on her!”

Tilly beamed. She had learned something big: Being on time was more than just a rule—it was a way to show love and respect.

She didn’t want to miss moments anymore. She didn’t want her friends to wait. She didn’t want to feel left out.

And now, she didn’t.

Even though she was slow, she had learned how to plan ahead and be prepared.

And that made all the difference.

Moral to the Story Poem:
Be on time and don’t delay,
Plan ahead and start your day.
When you're early, smiles will grow—
That’s how love and kindness show!