The Birtles.

I haven't many stories, but I'll breathe you the best of my word
Though I can't promise it's true (this is only what I've heard)
I'll tell you the tale of a Testudine
Who dared to stray from the common line
By seeking the friendship and love of a little bird.

You'll want to know how they met each other, of course - it
Was a normal day - quite a rainy day - in Dorset
Said the turtle, "Hello - I often preside
In the ocean, the caves, or the sandy seaside.
Let's be friends." And they were, though their families didn't endorse it.

Nosy people, as nosy people are wont to do
Made much protest at the companionship of the two
"Never in all our born days," they cried
"Have turtle and bird lived side by side,
And the laws of nature can't change just for you."

"But," protested the turtle, "I've only just met her,
And neither of us fall in the role of predator
So why can't a bird and a turtle be close?
Before I had her, I was always morose
I count myself lucky that I was the one to get her."

The bird had similar problems with her peers
Who - when they heard - simply couldn't believe their ears
"If you're our friend, then you can't be his,"
Said the ravens. "Sorry, but that's how it is."
And the poor bird salted her nest with a thousand tears.

"Don't cry," begged the turtle, "over their unkind words."
"But we can't be together as turtles and we can't be together as birds!"
"I suppose," said the turtle, rather slowly
"If I want to know you, and you want to know me,
Then we'll have to reinvent ourselves as turds."

A silence, while they thought about what he'd said
Then the bird shook her wings, and scratched her feathery head
"It's a lovely idea, of course - in theory
And I do appreciate it, dearie
But... couldn't we call ourselves the birtles instead?"

So the birtles happily lived like hand in glove
And their hearts were bound eternally with love
Then, after many years had passed
And both of the birtles had died at last
Their spirits were each reborn as a turtledove.