Emmett loved his pet turtle. Tiny had a green shell with yellow spots. Tiny was very quiet. One sunny morning, Emmett went to feed Tiny. He had a bowl of fresh greens. But when he looked in the tank, the turtle was gone. The lid was open just an inch. Emmett felt his heart jump. Where could a slow turtle go? He had to solve this mystery right away. He put on his detective hat. He was ready to look for clues.

First, Emmett looked under his bed. He found a lost shoe. He found a dusty book. He did not find Tiny. Then he looked in his closet. He moved his boots and his bags. He saw a small green shape. Was it Tiny? No, it was just a green sock. Emmett sighed and kept looking. He checked every corner of his bedroom. He looked behind the curtains. He looked under the rug. The turtle was nowhere to be found.

Emmett went into the hall. He found a clue near the bathroom. There was a tiny trail of water on the wood floor. "Aha!" Emmett said. Turtles love water. He followed the trail into the bathroom. He looked behind the tall white towel rack. He looked in the bathtub. It was empty and dry. He even looked behind the door. But Tiny was not there. The trail of water ended at a pile of wet towels. It was a dead end.

Emmett did not give up. He went down the stairs to the kitchen. His mom was making toast. "Mom, have you seen Tiny?" he asked. His mom shook her head. "No, Emmett. Is he missing?" Emmett nodded. He looked on the floor. He saw a small bit of lettuce near the back door. It was a new clue! The back door was cracked open. Maybe Tiny went outside to the garden. Emmett felt a little bit scared. The backyard was very big for a small turtle.

He stepped outside onto the grass. The sun felt warm on his face. He walked to the flower beds. He looked under the big hosta leaves. He saw a round stone that looked like a shell. But it did not move. He looked near the bird bath. He saw a frog jump away. He looked by the tall oak tree. Then he heard a soft rustling sound. It was coming from the pile of dry leaves near the fence. Emmett crawled on his hands and knees.

He pushed the leaves aside very carefully. He saw something green and bumpy. It was Tiny! The turtle was trying to climb over a small twig. He looked very busy. Emmett felt so glad. He reached out and touched the shell. "I found you!" he shouted. Tiny pulled his head into his shell for a second. Then he peeked out. He looked up at Emmett. It seemed like he was happy to be found.

Emmett carried Tiny back into the house. He made sure to hold him with both hands. He went back to his room. He put Tiny back into the warm water of his tank. This time, he checked the lid twice. He made sure it was shut tight. He dropped the fresh greens into the tank. Tiny started to eat right away. Emmett sat in his chair and watched. He was happy the mystery was over. His best friend was safe at home.