Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories Gertrude McFuzz, Lines 69 – 76 Summary

Rescue 

  • Who comes to the rescue along with Dr. Dake? A bunch of other normal (or may we say it, even weirder looking) birds. Birds that have accepted their lot in life, and yet don't complain when dragging Gertrude home takes two weeks and nearly breaks their beaks. Birds that are (here comes the armchair psychologist again) "well-adjusted."
  • Ah, poor Gertrude indeed. Not only is there no one external to feed her vanity, but she also now must suffer a good plucking until she's right back with her one little feather.
  • But, for all of her shortcomings, Gertrude isn't bitter, nor does she vow to get revenge on all that have wronged her, even though the only bird at fault is herself.
  • She's learned her lesson, the one that says, "Be happy with what you've got… or else you'll end up even more sore than you were before."
  • It's a good lesson. Because we can't all have beautiful tails like Lolla-Lee-Lou. But we can wave our green little tails and revel in the fact that we can fly.