World Turtle

In that one story they simply won't forget, at least they never knew my name This article is about a subject whose real name is unknown, and is known only by a title, nickname, alias or description

The title of this article is conjectural Although this article is based on canonical information, the actual name of this subject is conjecture based on the original source it's adapted from.

Word Turtle
Biographical information
Real name	Unknown
Aliases	Turtle
Status	Alive
Species	Turtle (after transformation; formerly: human) (Fable)
Gender	Female
Occupation	Queen (formerly)
Homeland	Teacup World
Family information
Relatives	Unnamed husband
Appearances
First issue	Fables #96 — "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Chapter Three of Rose Red" (flashback)
Last issue	Fables #157 — "The Black Forest Chapter Seven: Summer Winds"
Original source	World Turtle

“	Be careful, miss, for it's a world entire on my back. A cupped land of tropical islands and blue waters, where winter never comes and the North Wind cannot reach.	„
	~ The World Turtle to Winter Wolf in Fables #153 — "The Black Forest Chapter Three: Big Adventure"

The World Turtle is an animal Fable (human turned turtle) from the Homelands, who first appears in Fables #96 — "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Chapter Three of Rose Red."

History

The Turtle's quest

The Turtle was once the queen of a great kingdom in the Homelands. When the king discovered that she was being unfaithful, he punished her by turning her into a turtle and transforming her soul into a teacup of delicate ceramic, which she had to carry on her back. The cup contained her entire homeland, an archipelago of "surging seas and sun-dappled islands," and all of its people. If she let the teacup fall or break, her people and her homeland would be destroyed, and her soul would be lost to her forever. Her horrible trial would end when she found a heroine of low station willing to trade places with her.

At one point, the Turtle passes through the woods where a young Rose Red lives alone without her sister, but the Turtle quickly understands that Rose Red, sad and depressed, is not the one she is looking for.

Meeting Bigby Wolf

One day, the World Turtle stumbles across Bigby Wolf in the depths of the Black Forest. Frightened, she apologizes for entering his domain. She explains that she had no intention of trespassing and had just happened to find herself in this location by chance. The Turtle nervously exclaims that she would only be a small morsel, not enough to satisfy the Wolf's appetite. But the Wolf assures her that he is not hungry at all. She can tell he's not doing well, and when she asks him, he confirms her suspicions. She wonders what could have caused the powerful lord of wolves to fall into such a state of sorrow. He informs her that he will pass away before achieving any of his ambitious objectives. She ponders what plans he had in mind. Bigby tells the story of how he was going to end his father's life, but tomorrow, Bigby himself will inevitably meet his demise as a result of being torn apart by an equally formidable beast. The Turtle ponders who has ordained his destiny and if it was an individual with greenish complexion that sometimes inhabits a pond. Bigby describes the woman, and the Turtle instantly knows that she is the Lady of the Lake. She tells Bigby that this woman looks attractive on the outside, but is a wicked person underneath. She discloses to him the fact that Lake's prophecy might not have been his genuine destiny. The Lady doesn't just predict fates, she has the power to assign and unassign them as well.

Bigby is skeptical, but the Turtle convinces him that Lake has the power to select from a multitude of possible futures and decide who will receive what. People say that she only acts selfishly; it's as if she doesn't care about anyone but herself. Bigby can't comprehend how Lake is able to accomplish such a feat, while the Turtle isn't sure either, as she was never trained in the magical arts like her spouse. However, she suspects that Lake is a personal courtier serving the Fates, ensuring that the essential destinies are conveyed to their rightful owners. She wonders if Lake is keeping some of the best fates for herself. But she also considers that Lake's peculiar decisions could be the results of the fates she has appointed. The Turtle is convinced that Lake makes agreements with the "lords and ladies of scythe and harrow," because many people perish before completing their destinies. Regardless, Lake has the power to hand out destinies as she sees fit. The Turtle ponders if Lake is capable of lifting the fate she put on Bigby. Exhilaration fills Bigby's being after the Turtle shares her wisdom, and he says that even though he likes "crunchy turtle treats" and it would please him to eat her (especially with an entire civilization which he could consume in a single mouthful), she is secure from his jaws. However, he assures her that the reprieve only covers this time, and next time they meet, she is back on the menu. She confirms that she understands, and then strides away.

New Eden

Years later, as a grown woman, Rose Red is escorted back to her childhood home by the Cricket on the Hearth to uncover her true history. Initially, it offers her a different option: to stay in blissful ignorance and build a new Eden here, reigning as its queen for ages to come. As Rose ponders this, she finds herself strolling through the forest, naked; with a group of animal Fables by her side. One of them is the Turtle. Despite her initial curiosity, Rose ultimately dismisses this as nothing more than a child's dream and chooses not to pursue it.

Winter Wolf's adventure

In the Black Forest, a reformed Bigby Wolf encourages his cubs to explore the woods and have a grand adventure. Bigby's daughter Winter discovers the Turtle among the trees, who shares information about the world within the cupped land on her shell. Winter takes in the view of the world, marveling at all the people, boats and islands. She questions if it can be real, so she reduces her size and immerses herself into the world to find out. The turtle yells a warning that Winter can never leave once she enters, but it is too late for her to hear it.

The Turtle continues striding forward, listening to Winter's conversations with the locals of Teacup World. She soon discovers that even though Winter is the North Wind, the girl has no access to her powers within this world, and cannot even create a breeze, as it is one of the realms of the South Wind. The Turtle trudges on while Winter embarks on her various escapades. Eventually, Winter's parents, Snow White and Bigby, discover the Turtle and bring in a fully grown avatar of Winter to join them. Winter's avatar tells the others that in order to free Winter, there will be lots of breakage. This causes an immediate reaction of alarm from the Turtle, who asks, "Wait! Break what?" Winter's avatar says it can rescue the young girl, but doing so would involve destroying the Teacup World. The Turtle is extremely alarmed by this suggestion, arguing that sacrificing an entire world to save one child isn't right. Still, Bigby comes up with the concept of pulling Winter out instead. The avatar uses her fingers and dexterity and focuses just small enough to be able to reach inside. However, her aim is off, so she accidentally pulls out Winter's companion from within the cup instead. The avatar finally manages to pull out the correct person. The Turtle expresses her gratitude to her for not destroying her world, but pleads with her to leave and never take anything from "sacred charge" again.

Appearances

Fables

• Fables #96 (first appearance) (flashback)
• Fables #113 (flashback)
• Fables #122 (flashback)
• Fables #123 (flashback)
• Fables #147
• Fables #153
• Fables #154
• Fables #155
• Fables #157
• Fables #162 (cover only)

Original source

She is based on the concept of the World Turtle from Hindu, Chinese, and Native American mythology.