His feet never stopped, while closed in his box.
Crammed between dishes and a bag of socks.

A new home now, and perhaps a new friend.
I know he wishes this car ride will soon end.

So, out of his box to his lakeside pool.
He loves to swim! He thinks he's cool!

I stepped into my house to grab a towel.
Returned to the deck to hear something growl.

Three raccoons were eating a turtle dinner.
I picked up a cup and threw out a spinner.

They jumped from the deck and I ran to see.
Oh, my buddy, became a snack for three.

I sadly thought that I'd made a mistake.
By bringing my buddy home to that lake.

His five minute swim and an unfriendly beast.
Who devoured a friendship and enjoyed the feast.

I picked up his shell, all that was left.
From those hungry critters, who committed theft.

I sat that shell in his box, at my side.
For three straight days, I cried and I cried.

Thinking to myself, what a horrible story!
Could he forgive me? I am truly sorry.

It's day number three, still wiping tears.
When a familiar sound bounced into my ears.

That scratching noise, I heard for miles.
I heard it again! It brought back smiles.

I peeked down into his box and had to blink.
Is he really alive? He was eaten, I think!

Well, He was just hiding or, "Shell- Shock Disguised"!
What a perfect ending, to a "Shell- Shock Surprise"!