Chance encounter with a little friend

Yesterday night, rather early morning today, around 1 AM, while I was returning back to my ‘hostel’ room from the department, I heard a loud thud. When I looked around I found that the noise was caused by a tortoise tipping onto the road, from the platform that adjoins the bank of the lake. I have always loved animals and am quite concerned about their welfare. I was sure that the little fellow would wind up under the tire of some vehicle since the roads in this university are lined by neat platforms that are around half a foot high, on both sides. I was also very scared to handle the tortoise since I was not sure if they can bite. I knew I needed help but was not sure whom to contact. For a moment, I thought about Dr. Susy but ruled out the idea since the tortoise was not hurt and did not feel like calling her at that point in time. (I have bugged her quite a few times in the past, at similar times. Not once has she cribbed about being disturbed and has always been very helpful). The only person I could ask for help, at that unearthly hour, was my dad, and so I called home and explained the situation. My father was equally concerned. He also told me that it might end up in the frying pan if sighted by the wrong people. That clinched it, there was absolutely no way I was going to leave my little friend somewhere he is sure to die. I mustered up a lot of courage and disturbed the shell to find that he gently pulled himself into the shell. By this time, my father had also assured me that there would not be any harm caused by the tortoise. The next few moments are something I can never forget. I gently moved the shell, which caused him to go into the shell fully. I was then able to pick him up, with both hands. The hard shell was quite smooth, think that indicates that he is very old. Although the shell is hard and all that, the under side of it was very soft. I guess that makes them vulnerable to predators. I carried him around 20 feet into the bush, near the lake, left him close to a path which leads to the lake and went my way hoping he would find the way back to wherever he came from. While coming to the department, today, I walked along the bank of the lake just in case he needed more help but was not able to find him. Hope he is safe … I know that tortoises are vegetarians. I wonder if they make good pets.