The Turtle of Damascus is an ancient relic in the shape of a turtle.
History
Not much is known about its origins other than the fact that it was created in Damascus, the capital of Syria. According to Moyer McGonnical, most experts believed that the turtle was simply a hoax.
Because both the turtle and The Star of Christmas were kept in similar boxes, Moyer mistook the turtle for the star and put it out on the side table in St. Bart's Church. When it was revealed that the star was to be used in a Christmas pageant at the church (its first public appearance in 79 years), Cavis Appythart wanted to steal it and use it in his play, The Princess and the Plumber, in order to attract crown Prince Frederick. When Cavis and his friend Millward Phelps snuck into the church to steal the star, Cavis opened the box to get a look at it. Millward stated that it looked like a turtle, which Cavis brushed off as the star aging poorly.
Despite Moyer waking up and chasing after them, Cavis and Millward were successful in stealing the "star". The next day, the turtle was used in the final dress rehearsal of The Princess and the Plumber. However, because there were so many lightbulbs onstage, the machine powering them sparked causing the theater to catch fire. The turtle, still hanging onstage, was destroyed in the process.
Still believing Cavis and Millward had stolen the star, Moyer had them arrested. After Cavis and Millward were let free, and the Christmas pageant resumed, Moyer stopped the Prince and Cavis and Millward to reveal that the star was in his sock drawer the entire time. When discovering Cavis stole the turtle instead, Millward dryly replied, "Told you it looked like a turtle."