I Killed a Turtle — Now I Have Mixed Feelings About It
Wouldn’t you?
While driving to Starbucks on a gorgeous spring day, I saw a turtle inch across the busy street, slowly but surely into my lane.
There was a car behind me, so I couldn’t slow down.
Instead, I did my best to move over to the left, to miss the reptile, and prevent an accident by this sudden maneuver.
I heard a crunch as I drove by, yikes! Then checked my rearview mirror to see the turtle move as if in pain — sure to be flattened by oncoming traffic.
This bothered me! I had empathy for the reptile’s vulnerability, and certain agony. I felt guilty that my vehicle was the cause.
To manage these uncomfortable feelings, my thoughts were:
Too bad; it shouldn’t have crossed the road; being hit was inevitable!
The car behind me would’ve run the turtle over anyway, if I didn’t.
The poor thing doesn’t know the dangers of crossing a busy street.
I did my best!
