When a large turtle gets its shell wedged tight in an underwater railing two smaller turtles don’t just swim away. They team up and work together to free their stuck friend.
When a turtle is trapped in a railing there is usually not much hope without human intervention. But instead of just swimming past the scene two smaller turtles notice their trapped friend. They don’t just paddle around the problem and go on with their day. They swim right up to the heavy iron bars to see what is going on. You can see them assess the situation before they get to work.
Most of us would have assumed it wasn’t our problem to fix. They stayed right there in the struggle.
The smaller reptiles move to either side of the trapped turtle. It is fascinating to watch these small turtles team up to rescue a larger pal in such a coordinated way. They physically cling to the edges of the big shell. They start throwing their tiny weight into pulling and nudging the bigger turtle. They are pushing against the heavy metal railing while trying to maneuver the awkward shell through the gap. The larger turtle is helpless and just has to trust the effort of its friends.
They keep trying. They adjust their grip and keep shoving against the shell. Finally after a few heavy attempts the shell slips through the gap in the iron bars. The large turtle is completely free. Then they carry on happily swimming in the pool together like nothing even happened. It is just a quick moment caught on camera but animals helping each other always leaves a deep impression on us.
You know the Bible talks in Ecclesiastes about how two are better than one because if either of them falls down one can help the other up. I just feel so glad and encouraged watching these little creatures live out a principle we sometimes forget. We are meant to carry each other’s burdens in this life. When you see someone wedged in a hard place today, don’t just walk on by. Stop and help them push. Stand by them until they get free.
WATCH: Turtles Team Up to Save Their Friend
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