Page 1 of 8
Part 1
Tilly Turtle liked the pond best in the quiet morning. She heard water drip, reeds swish, and one tiny frog make a worried peep.
Listen to this page
← Back to the collectionStory illustration Keep exploring Say it. Clap it. Sing it.Print the rhyme ↓
A story to share
Tilly Turtle and the Quiet Pond
Find a cozy spot. Read together. Pause for the good questions.
8 pages to explore
Read the complete storyAll 8 pages together · text edition
Tilly Turtle and the Quiet Pond
Read aloud, take turns, or pause for a question. The illustrated page-by-page reader is above.
Page 1
Part 1
Tilly Turtle liked the pond best in the quiet morning. She heard water drip, reeds swish, and one tiny frog make a worried peep.
Page 2
Part 2
The frog was Pip. He had a soft croak to share, but splashing ducks and buzzing bugs were making too much noise.
Page 3
Part 3
Tilly did not tell Pip to be louder. She sat beside him and said, ‘Your small song is worth hearing.’
Page 4
Part 4
Tilly asked the ducks for one quiet minute. The ducks stopped splashing and floated like two smooth green leaves.
Page 5
Part 5
Next, Tilly asked the bugs to rest on a reed. The pond became still enough to hear one bubble pop at the top.
Page 6
Part 6
Pip took a breath. His first croak was tiny. Tilly smiled and tapped the ground once to show that she had heard it.
Page 7
Part 7
Pip tried again: ‘Croak, croak.’ This time the whole pond listened, and the reeds seemed to sway with his gentle song.
Page 8
Part 8
The ducks clapped their wings softly. Pip felt proud, and Tilly learned that making quiet space can help a small voice grow brave.
What will you try next?
Read each question together. Choose the answer that matches the story.
Try the story activityTilly Turtle and the Quiet Pond
Share a rhyme inspired by the story. Read the words together, tap a gentle beat, or make up your own tune.
Open the rhyme
Intro
Morning whispers at the pond.
Tilly hears a peep beyond.
Verse 1
Pip the frog has songs to sing.
Ducks splash loud and insects zing.
Tilly says, "Your song is small,
But it still is worth it all."
Chorus
Make some quiet, make some space.
Let a little voice find place.
Listen close and you may hear
Tiny songs grow strong and clear.
Verse 2
Ducks float still for just a while.
Bugs rest gently in a line.
One small bubble gives a pop.
All the busy sounds now stop.
Chorus
Make some quiet, make some space.
Let a little voice find place.
Listen close and you may hear
Tiny songs grow strong and clear.
Bridge
Pip breathes in: one tiny croak.
Tilly taps to say, "I heard."
"Croak, croak," Pip sings once more.
Reeds sway softly by the shore.
Final Chorus
Make some quiet, make some space.
Pip sings proudly in his place.
Ducks clap wings without a roar.
Pip feels braver than before.
Outro
Quiet kindness by the pond
Helped one little voice grow strong.
Guess Galaxy on YouTube
Make it story time.
Enjoy the video version of this story, then talk about your favorite part.
Watch on YouTube Opens YouTube in a new tab.