My Buterfly
...out loud, I had been caught by butterfly catchers and put in a jar. I was told about this when I was just a young butterfly. Being pinned to a board, it’s not a nice story. I shut my eyes for a moment and thought of Gwen and Lady Anna. Don’t fight this either, I thought. 6 “Gerard’s Story - THE GLASS DOME” As I opened my eyes, I was completely startled. “Where am I?” “How long have I had my eyes shut?” Quickly looking around all I could see was glass. It was a large glass dome with trees, shrubs and many butterflies and other insects. “Am I in heaven? No I can’t be, I can’t see Lady Anna anywhere and why would there be a glass dome in heaven”. Thoughts were rushing through my mind. A very large dragonfly flew over and said “Hello. New boy on the block? Enjoy your stay”. “What do you mean, stay?” I quickly replied. “You’re part of Mr Bainbridge’s insect collection now”, Dragonfly said. Insect collection, Oh no! I was devastated, “I must get out of here”, I told Dragonfly. “Not a chance in the world sonny boy. That’s glass and you’ll never break it with those wings.” I felt sick. What can I do? I must find some way to get out. I was still feeling hungry considering I didn’t get to taste the native flower nectar before I was caught. So I ventured over to the other side of the glass dome to have a look and find some flowers. Well! There she was. The most beautiful butterfly anyone could imagine. She took my breath away and I forgot that I was even hungry. “Excuse me, would there be any flowers around here?” I said, “I’m new and quite hungry”. “Oh, sorry for being so rude, my name is Gerard.” “Yes” she said, “just over there, I’ll come with you”. “Thank you” I replied. “My name is Antonia and I’ve been here for a long time” she said sadly. “I was caught in the Valley of Blossoms on a flight with my sisters and I haven’t seen them since” We spent many days together talking and eating the nectar from all sorts of flowers. Time went so quickly, it was easy to even forget where I was. I told Antonia all about my promise to Gwen. My only concern was Gwen’s birthday was approaching and I’m stuck in this glass dome. 7 “Gerard’s Story - THE STORM” Next morning I looked up at the top of the dome and I noticed the sky was beginning to darken. Rain clouds were forming over in the direction of the house. I think its Mr Bainbridge’s house. The clouds were starting to roll and there was some lightning. At times the lightning was very bright. All the insects were hiding from the storm, I don’t know why nothing can come through the glass dome. Then one lightning bolt hit the dome with an almighty crack of thunder. Another followed it, hitting the same spot on the dome and the thunder was so loud. I looked up and noticed the dome was splitting, that second lightning bolt had smashed the dome. I quickly flew over to Antonia and told her to go and find her sisters in the Valley of the Blossoms. “I’m going to find the rainbow and then see Gwen” I explained as I flew off. Up and away I went. “Gerard, come back to my Valley, when you are finished” Antonia yelled at the top of her voice. “Yes” I replied, “I will be with you soon.” As I went through the split in the dome with all the other insects, I heard Dragonfly call out. “We’re all going, the whole insect collection. Gerard, dreams do come true, I’ll miss you sonny boy, bye”. On my way out through the crack I looked over towards the house and could see the sun peeking through the storm clouds and I knew it would be there. And it was, the Rainbow. 8 “Gerard’s Story - THE RAINBOW” The closer I flew to that little ray of sunshine the bigger it got. The storm was passing over and there it was the brightest rainbow I have ever seen, red, orange, yellow, green, blue and indigo. I knew this was the one, I just knew it. Now what was it that Lady Anna told me to do, it’s been so long. It’s coming back to me, I’ve got it! ‘Go to the very top of the rainbow and taste the nectar of the Flower of Love’. I flew to the top of the rainbow with ease and there it was, so beautiful. The purple flower was unique. Landing on the blossom I sipped the nectar just as Lady Anna told me. The taste was sensational, smoothly sweet, never have I tasted anything like it before. My feet were tingling, my head was buzzing and I felt dizzy, but calm. My wings began to tingle and the tips began to change colour, brighter and brighter I could feel something special happening, as the tips became more gold in colour. I sipped enough nectar to keep me going as it was going to be a long journey to reach Gwen. She will be eight tomorrow. I lifted up off the flower, somehow I felt stronger than I’ve ever been before and I headed off towards Gwen’s place and her eighth birthday party. 9 “THE BIRTHDAY GIFT” I could hear Mum “Gwen, it’s morning, Happy Birthday, better hop up, …Where are you? Gwen.” I was sitting in the garden under the bright sunlight. It was a beautiful morning and a beautiful day for my eighth birthday. Bees were busy collecting honey and the birds were filling the breeze with songs. I was wondering if Gerard was going to make it. I quickly hopped up and ran inside to give Mum her morning cuddle. “I suppose you want a place set at the table for …Gerard. Is that his name?” I gave Mum a quick nod. Time went really slowly, I spent all morning helping Mum get the big birthday lunch ready. Like last year Aunty Edna and Uncle Snow were coming to the lunch. I went back up to our flower garden. All of the flowers are out in bloom and I was hoping that Gerard would be there. I was just sitting there with my eyes closed smelling all the different scents in the air and wondering what it would be like as a butterfly. I felt something touch my hand, I slowly opened my eyes. It was Gerard. “Hello Gwen, Happy Birthday” he said. My heart skipped a beat, I told Gerard “ It’s so good to see you” with my eyes. “What have you been doing?” and then I proceeded to tell Gerard what I’ve been doing all year when he stopped me and said “ Gwen, stop, look me in the eyes and hold out both of your hands”. As I did this he spread his wings over my hands. The golden tips of his wings touched my fingers and immediately I felt a warm sensation go through my body. It made me quiver and I became scared. “Don’t be afraid Gwen, now tell me your story. Speak to me”, he said. I spoke slowly and softly at first, it seemed so funny hearing my own voice and as if I had been able to speak all my life. “Gerard, Gerard, Gerard thank you so much, I love you” I said with all my heart. I’d thought about this day over and over. I had expected to rush down and tell Mum, but no, I had so much to tell Gerard. He sat and listened for hours. At one stage he said “Gwen have a rest, don’t wear out your new voice”. I talked and talked it felt so good. “Gwen, the guests are here and lunch is ready” called Mum. “Yes, I’ll be down” I yelled. There was just silence; Mum came running up to the garden and just stared at me for a while. “What did you say?” Mum said. “I’ll be down soon,” I said with a big smile “both Gerard and I.” Mum stood there stunned. She smiled gave me a hug and said “Let’s go, all three of us.” “Gerard’s staying for lunch and then has to go, he has someone special to find” I said as we walked down to the house. “You can tell me all about it during lunch.” Mum said still looking at me and shaking her head. “Love you Mum, love you Gerard” I said as loud as I could. What a birthday present! PART 2 FINDING ANTONIA 10 “DRAGONFLY” Gwen’s birthday party was so much fun, how happy she was. I will cherish this day for my entire life. And giving Gwen the ability to speak with the magical touch of my wings on her eighth birthday made me feel so proud. I was happy to leave Gwen’s party now and search for Antonia. I left the party late in the afternoon and began my journey to see Antonia and her sisters in the Valley of the Blossoms. Thinking back at the party, it was a wonderful moment when Gwen spoke for the first time. She has a whole new life in front of her now. People will love listening to her voice and hearing what she has to say. Gwen had a small tear in her eye and a huge smile on her face, when I left. I will never forget this day. My love of nature has grown yet again. ‘Thank you Lady Anna’, I silently said to myself. As I flew upwards and into the wind I wasn’t thinking at all to where I was heading, I was just floating. I was happy to do this for a while until I noticed I was heading in a westerly direction and that was where the Bainbridge’s dome is. Upwards I went again until I reached the southerly breeze. I’d learnt so many little secrets while I was held captive in the dome. One being, if you move up or down in the sky you can catch different winds. If my directions are right the Valley of the Blossoms is in the northern regions of our land. It didn’t take long to find the southerly breeze and I was on my way. Wonder if, I will ever meet some of the creatures I spent time with in the dome. After some time flying I had become quite thirsty. It wasn’t just floating in the wind heading north, at times I was correcting my direction because the wind would change to an easterly one. Somehow I think I was tiring and allowed my elevation to drop and instead of simply flying up into the southerly I was flying against the wind. I was ready to find a place to rest and recover. So I started heading down, towards the ground looking for some water and nectar, when to my left and a little in the distance I saw what looked to be a large lake. This is just the spot I thought and was happy to stay there and recover. As I got closer I noticed there were lots of lilies in full bloom and I was so hungry. Water and nectar what more could a butterfly on a great journey ask for, this is beautiful. As I landed on a large lily flower I heard a mutter. “New boy on the block? Enjoy your stay” someone called out. The sound came from over in the reeds. It couldn’t be! I knew that voice from the glass dome. Is it possible? That’s Dragonfly! “Is that you Dragonfly?” I called out. “Yes, sonny boy, what a memory. And I thought only dragonflies have a memory that sharp,” he yelled. Dragonfly flew over towards me and landed on an adjacent lily pad. “Your family are such strong fliers” I said, “I sometimes wish I had such force in my wings.” “Well, that’s the difference between you and me sonny boy,” he said with a smile. “I fly and you flutter.” And we both laughed. We spent hours talking and laughing about our time in the dome, probably more time laughing, it seemed to be such a happy place here on the lake. “Are you on your way to see Antonia?” asked Dragonfly. “Yes” I said. “Dragonfly, where are we now and where do you think the Valley of the Blossoms is?” I asked. “Gerard, this is the Lake of Laughter and you are welcome to stay with all of us here, forever. But I can see that you are eager to travel and find young Antonia” Dragonfly said as he took a breath and continued. “I have heard the Valley you are looking for is in the north, direct north. Don’t deviate from this or you may end up in the Forbidden Land. So I’ve heard.” He sighed. “That’s all I can tell you.” “Thank you for your company and splendid hospitality Dragonfly. I will rest now and continue my journey at dawn.” I said as he flew off. “Safe journey, sonny boy, may you have the strength of a dragonfly when you need it. Farewell.” His voiced faded on his way back to the reeds. 11 “BEETLES CALL FOR HELP” A beautiful sunrise had touched the lake the next morning. I can see why Dragonfly was such a happy insect living here. Or was everything beautiful today because I was love struck, I knew that sometime today I would be with Antonia. What is this feeling I have for her, I can’t explain it. What will happen when we meet? What am I going to say? ‘I am the happiest butterfly there is’, no that’s not how I feel deep inside. I can’t explain it, it’s a strange feeling. I sat there on the lily pad and wrote Antonia an Apollo’s card while the sun was painting colours on all the things around the lake. Apollo’s day is like Valentine’s day, Gwen told me about this day which was two days after her birthday. She had told me it was special because it was one time you could say what you feel on paper. “You can write what you feel easier than saying it”. Gwen had said. “But”, I said to her, “You are only saying that because you have always written down your words”. She just looked at me in her way and I understood what she was saying. I wrote Antonia this Apollo’s card and put it in my wing pocket to give her when we meet later today. I was ready to go. What butterfly girl doesn’t dream of an Apollo’s card A day with an affectionate written message just for her To cherish the feelings and hold the thought close to her heart For the day will pass quickly with tomorrow’s dawn I think of you and the years and all the sadness falls away. Held forever by a promise but not of a dream from dawn ‘till night turns this day is yours. Take this small handful of love and hold it close for it is yours to keep. For in return I want not but to see you smile and love this day. As I projected myself up into the wind I heard Dragonfly call out, “North, sonny boy, head north and good luck” I was flying north, ‘fluttering’ as Dragonfly puts it, until about mid morning when I came across two beetles who didn’t look too good. They were not in a very good state. They were sick, very sick. “What’s happened?” I called “Can I help you?” I called again before they could answer the first question. “We have journeyed from the west and possibly eaten something we shouldn’t have,” the smaller of the two beetles said. “Some water would be nice, now please,” came from the other beetle in a very soft and weary but demanding tone. “I don’t have any water but I can tell you where to go.” I said. “That would be fine, thank you,” said the smaller of the two. I started telling them about the Lake of Laughter and that it was only a few hours flying with the wind. “Just head south from hear directly south.” I said. The soft-spoken beetle looked a little concerned, turned to his mate and said, “How can we fly against the wind? I can’t go, leave me here.” He said taking a slow breath, “You go. I will never make it” “We’ll do it together, come on” pleaded the smaller beetle. “I’ll take you there,” I said without thinking. “I will show you how the wind will do all the work by just changing altitude. Both of you will make it safely.” I said. What am I saying, I thought, I’m nearly where I want to be, with Antonia. “Come on you two, I have a long journey ahead of me.” I called out as I lead them up into the blue sky. We made it back to the lake before the midday sun. Dragonfly was very surprised to see me so soon, that is, until I told him of the beetles’ plight. “I’ll look after them, you be on your way sonny boy.” Dragonfly said waving his large wing at me. I took off and flew with the strength of a dragonfly. I must reach the Valley of the Blossoms by nightfall. 12 “VALLEY OF THE BLOSSOMS” It was just on dusk and in the distance I could see a place all insects dream of, a paradise, full of flowers. My feet began to tingle with thoughts of so many different tasting flowers. I flew as fast as I could to reach the entrance to the valley, it was getting dark quickly. Just a bit more and I could rest. It was at that time in the evening when you couldn’t distinguish any colours, the sun was turning off. I landed safely. What a day, I was so tired. I must of fallen asleep immediately after landing, because the morning was with me. “Where are you Antonia?” I called out in jest, no one could hear me from here, I thought. ‘Where do I start?’ my mind was searching. This was followed by a hundred questions and ‘What if’ thoughts. Let’s see ‘Three sisters one called Antonia’ would have to be a statement someone could help me with. I will ask the first butterfly I see. I flew off looking for that someone. After a couple minutes flying around I became concerned, my theory of asking the first butterfly I saw was falling apart. Where are they all? I stopped for awhile, settled down on large shrub and just watched. Then I noticed there were hundreds of them, I just couldn’t see them for the flowers. Butterflies everywhere, this must be paradise. As I promised myself I flew over and introduced myself to the first butterfly I saw and asked. “Hi, I’m Gerard and I’m looking for three sisters one called Antonia.” “Hello Gerard, I’m Tunic. I seem to recall three sisters living in the River Garden, as they call it. The most beautiful butterflies I have ever seen.” said Tunic. “Over that way.” He said pointing in the direction of the morning sun. “Thank you Tunic.” I said as I headed towards the River Garden. It didn’t take long to reach the garden and as I approached I saw a beautiful butterfly, which resembled Antonia to every colour and wing spot. “Would you be one of Antonia’s sisters,” I asked? Anticipation was nearly jumping out of my body. I had this feeling her answer would be yes. I had feelings that were taking my breath away. It’s been such a long time. I had butterflies in my stomach (Gwen told me of that feeling) just waiting for her answer. “Yes, I’m Antonia’s youngest sister, Samantha” she said with a surprised look on her face. “Why? Do you know where she is?” she said, and began to shake uncontrollably. “Samantha! Yes, I do know Antonia, I know her very well. I was with her when we escaped from the glass dome,” I said reaching out for her hand to comfort her. I was becoming confused, what was Samantha saying. You haven’t seen her? She’s not here? Antonia didn’t make it back? “What do you mean, do I know where she is?” I asked Samantha. She sat there and told me how Renee, her other sister, Antonia and her were travelling to visit some friends one day when they were hit by a severe storm and Antonia was blown away by the angry winds. “We haven’t seen her since”, Samantha continued with tears in her eyes, “Tell me, Gerard, how you came to know her”. As I began to tell Samantha my story she stopped me. “Excuse me Gerard, one moment”. “Renee, Renee, come here, this young butterfly knows about Antonia.” She yelled. “You all look alike,” I said as Renee came over and joined us. “Hi, I’m Gerard,” “Hi, I’m Renee,” “Please continue,” said Samantha. “We must hear all you know.” I briefly told the two sisters how I ended up being trapped in the dome and then told them every detail about my time in the dome, especially meeting Antonia. When I told the sisters how Antonia would help others cope with living in the dome as prisoners, they smiled at me. “She has always been like that”, Renee said. I continued telling them about the day all the insects escaped. And when I told Samantha and Renee how eager Antonia was to get back to see her sisters, Renee broke down and cried out loud. Samantha and Renee held each other close and just cried. It was a sad moment for me too. I was sharing the sisters’ grief with my own tears, when I realised that I must find Antonia. I was calling it out again in my head. ‘Where are you Antonia?’ I must have called it out loud because Renee jumped up with fright. “What did you say?” she said. “I meant to say it in my mind Renee, it was, where are you Antonia” I told her. The three of us flew to the river to refresh ourselves and washed the tears from our faces. “That was enough tears.” I said to the sisters. “I will go and search for her, I must find her,” 13 “THE MAP” Samantha sat there at the rivers edge telling me how stories of the Forbidden Land had been told by the elders of the Valley of the Blossoms at the ‘Coming of Spring’ festivals. Samantha told me all she could remember about the Forbidden Land. The afternoon went very quick listening to the stories of this Forbidden Land. It was amazing how much Samantha had remembered from the elders stories. Samantha stopped for a moment and produced a crumpled old piece of paper from her wing pocket. It was a scratchy old map showing the Forbidden Land. During the rest of the afternoon while Samantha was telling us more, Renee and I drew some lines and made notes on the map. I told her about the places I had travelled. I needed to have some idea where the Glass Dome was in comparison to where we were now. I didn’t want to go round and round in circles and get lost. Samantha told us it was only a day’s journey from here to the edge of the Forbidden Land. One way across the Forbidden Land can be up to four days travelling and it was believed that the other way across maybe up to fourteen days, but no one has ever been there or returned to tell the story. The main dangers for any butterfly is the Black Flower, its nectar is believed to be poisonous and should not be eaten. And there is no water in the Forbidden Land. Then I remembered that Dragonfly said it took four days for him to fly to the Lake of Laughter and that he flew directly east from the Glass Dome. I told Renee that dragonflies were very strong and that his four days would be about six or eight butterfly days flying. The map was completed and I wanted to leave that afternoon. Renee looked up at me and said. “Gerard, you should properly prepare for such a journey. Eat and rest before you go looking for our Antonia.” “Yes, you’re right.” I answered, “Let’s prepare, I will go tomorrow at first light.” But I still had one question for Samantha. “Why is it that the distance from the Valley of the Blossoms to the Forbidden Land is the same as crossing the Forbidden Land yet the Forbidden Land section takes four days?” I asked Samantha. “No one really knows. Something was mentioned once, about the heat, but no one is sure,” she replied. “I will back track all the way to the Glass Dome if I have to. I promise I will find Antonia.” I told both Renee and Samantha. 14 “THE FORBIDDEN LAND” The two sisters were silent when I left. They just waved. I knew what they were saying in their silence. I waved goodbye and headed southwest towards the Forbidden Land. The Sun had just started his morning paintings. He must love colouring this Valley. It’s so beautiful. I felt much more comfortable about my journey knowing I had some idea of where to go. It’s comforting to know the map we put together yesterday will help me find Antonia. I had to fly higher than usual to find the right wind to take me southwest. I used the wind as much as I could to save energy. It seemed as if I was only travelling for a short while when I could see an area in the distance directly in front that had no colour. Well, there was colour but only a brown. No greens, no reds, no yellows, this must be the Forbidden Land. But I thought it was a days journey, until I noticed it was afternoon. I had been travelling all day looking for signs of Antonia. Time must have flown as they say. I should say it was me that had flown. I found a spot to rest on a single tree near the edge of this brown land. Must rest overnight before I take on the next part of the trip. I had a few hours before nightfall so I flew around to see if there were any signs of Antonia having been there. No luck, there was nothing, it was as if no one had ever been there, no clues at all. Pulling the map from my wing pocket I noticed that either Renee or Samantha had put a little parcel my pocket. It was a small gel ball of water and a few dried flowers heavy in nectar. “Thank you”, I yelled into the night, they are so sweet. Looking down at the map I wished I’d some idea of why it would take four days to cross. I put it back in my wing pocket and slept. Next morning I left right on the start of the new day, heading up to catch the right wind. As the morning progressed it was becoming hotter and harder to find the right wind drift I needed. I would go higher then lower, and eventually higher and higher. It was tiring changing altitude all day and then it struck me, this is why it takes four days to go the distance, the heat. The hot air travels up and makes it difficult for wind drifts...