Gary the Green Turtle - A personality type fable (Part 1 of 5)

In a serene meadow, there lived four animals representing different personality types: Ruby the Red Fox, Yara the Yellow Canary, Gary the Green Turtle, and Bella the Blue Owl. Each had their unique way of interacting with the world, and they often worked together to keep their meadow harmonious. One day, a great challenge arose: a dam upstream had broken, and the meadow was at risk of flooding. The animals needed to act quickly to build a barrier and save their homes.

Gary the Green Turtle, known for his calm and steady nature, preferred to avoid conflict and took his time making decisions. As the water began to rise, Ruby the Red Fox sprang into action, barking orders. “We need to move fast! Gary, start stacking those rocks!” But Gary hesitated, unsure of the best course of action. “Why did the turtle cross the road? To get to the ‘slow’ side,” Ruby joked, trying to lighten the mood, but it only made Gary more anxious.

Yara the Yellow Canary flew around, rallying the other animals with her enthusiasm. “Come on, everyone! We can do this together!” she chirped. Bella the Blue Owl meticulously planned the best way to build the barrier. Meanwhile, Gary continued to mull over his options, worried about making the wrong decision. “Why don’t turtles ever get lost? Because they always stick to the ‘shell-tered’ path,” Yara quipped, trying to encourage Gary.

As the water drew closer, Ruby grew frustrated with Gary’s indecisiveness. “Gary, we need you to act now! There’s no time to waste!” she shouted. Gary’s reluctance to act quickly made the situation more dangerous, and the other animals began to worry. “Why did the turtle bring a map? To find the ‘slowest’ route,” Ruby added, hoping to spur Gary into action.

Seeing the tension, Bella the Blue Owl called for a quick meeting. “Gary, your calm nature is usually a great asset, but in this emergency, we need you to trust us and act swiftly,” she said gently. Gary realized that his hesitation was putting everyone at risk. He took a deep breath and decided to follow Bella’s plan. “Why did the turtle finally decide to help? Because he didn’t want to be ‘shellfish’,” Bella joked, making Gary smile.

With Gary’s help, the animals worked together to build the barrier. His steady hands and attention to detail ensured that the barrier was strong and effective. The flood was eventually contained, and the meadow was saved. From that day on, Gary the Green Turtle learned to balance his cautious approach with the need for decisive action in emergencies. The animals appreciated his steady presence and knew that his calm demeanor brought a sense of stability to their group. “Why did the turtle become a hero? Because he knew how to ‘shell-ebrate’ teamwork,” Gary joked, feeling proud of his contribution.

And so, the fable of Gary the Green Turtle teaches us that while caution and a calm nature are important, there are times when quick action is necessary. By recognizing and adapting to different situations, Greens can prosper and are essential for maintaining harmony and stability in any group.

Four ways to better understand each personality type

Surrounded by Idiots

Thomas Erikson wrote "Surrounded by

Idiots" about the four types of Human Behavior. Based

off the DISC-Model, he places a color on each

personality type.

Which color best represents you?