Manuelita La Tortuga

The song 'Manuelita La Tortuga' by María Elena Walsh tells the story of a turtle named Manuelita who lives in Pehuajó, a small town in Argentina. The lyrics begin by describing how Manuelita decides to leave for Paris, although no one knows exactly why. The turtle embarks on a long and difficult journey, walking to her destination, which already suggests considerable effort from the beginning.

Later on, it is revealed that Manuelita falls in love with a male turtle and, worried about her aged appearance, decides that she needs to beautify herself to win him over. She believes that in Europe, with patience, she can transform herself. In Paris, she undergoes a series of cosmetic procedures: she is painted, varnished, smoothed, and even receives a wig and little boots. However, this transformation is superficial and temporary.

The song reveals the melancholy and failure of Manuelita's efforts when she finally returns to Pehuajó. The time it took her to cross the sea was so long that she wrinkled again during the journey, returning as old as before. The quest for acceptance and external transformation proves futile, as Manuelita returns to her starting point without having achieved what she desired, despite having invested so much time and effort. The song, therefore, conveys a message that efforts to transform oneself may not lead to the desired result, and that trying to change who we are to please others can be a waste of time.