the point of the tortoise story in the torment: a novella by hd hunter is to emphasize how both negative and positive events can affect ones life. the story follows a young boy who finds an injured tortoise which he believes represents his own struggles that have been holding him back from achieving his potential. as he cares for the animal and helps it heal it serves as a reminder that even when things seem daunting or insurmountable there is still hope for healing and progress if one takes the necessary steps to move forward with their life.