Giuditta and Pietro

What a morning! After working for a couple of hours, I went into the garden to feed Giuditta and Oloferne. I was about to put the lettuce down, when I noticed Giuditta was near a freshly excavated hole. My first thought was: “the poor thing... she must have been cold last night and decided to dig a hole for protection”. Then, I noticed she was actually digging at that moment.... OMG! She’s laying eggs.... AGAIN??????? So I ran inside to get my camera and tripod and set up everything to follow the event, as I had done last year.
Unfortunately, I had forgotten it would take about an hour or so and she must have just started. I only had half an hour before my next commitment. I took some pictures, marvelling once again at the beauty of nature. A tortoise’s hind legs are perfectly suited to dig a deep hole, with their powerful claws and flat soles that they use as shovels. Three times with their right foot, three times with their left foot, and then a break for a little rest. I watched her for about 35 minutes and then I left. I couldn’t do otherwise. Sorry, everybody. Eggs next year... but you might see small tortoises in September, though! :-)

I left Giuditta to her chores and I rushed to a book presentation instead. I can hear an uproar! Calm down...
The small boy you see in the main picture is Pietro. He’s 9 years old and attends primary school. He’s one of my friends’ children. He was born premature and had some problems at birth so now he can’t walk or stand upright properly even when he’s sitting. Despite his many physical problems, he’s as serene as can be and his smile and kindness are the pride and joy of his family and friends. He’s a talented little boy and has written a book, a story for children, called “Ludovico, il vampiretto che non sapeva volare” (Ludovico, the little vampire who couldn’t fly). Her mum is a high school teacher and her students, who study art and design, illustrated the story.
The story has been privately published, but an editor has been contacted and we’re all hoping they will publish it.

Good luck Pietro! :-)