A NEW BUTTERFLY HAD APPEARED in the midst
of the garden. It had never been seen before; although there was rumour of it
having been known long ago. The sight of its silvery wings shimmering in the
early morning sunlight brought gasps of delight to the children; and they
danced in the middle of the garden like little butterflies themselves, newly
escaped of their cocoon. Tender hearts overflowed with boundless joy.
The butterfly alighted upon the shoulder of
one of the smallest children then flew onto his hand. The young child remained
perfectly still, lying among the wildflowers of the field his feet dipped in
the flowing stream. Rewarded for his stillness, time melted away as he gazed
and gazed upon the glorious butterfly, pulsating with life and light on his
hand. It swept him up and renewed his whole being and he followed the living
butterfly whithersoever it flew.
Oh, how all the children longed to share
with others, this wonderful new life and liberty which the butterfly had
brought them.
Then some of the older children reasoned
amongst themselves as to how they should do this. They came to the conclusion,
that if they could just catch the butterfly, then they could pass it around to
their friends, so that they might all share in this glorious new joy together.
Their idea seemed good to them, so they did it.
They caught the elusive airborne butterfly,
dancing and shimmering in the warm morning sunlight. They pierced it with a
pin. Then they stuck it on a piece of paper. How eagerly they anticipated the delight their
friends would have, when they saw the beautiful new butterfly.
So the children laid out the pierced
butterfly, decently and in order, just as the entomology textbook had taught
them. Then they carefully placed it in a box.
They were thrilled with it. Here was proof! Now at last all their friends (perhaps even
their enemies) would be able to study it for themselves and learn of the wondrous
life of this rare new butterfly, and come and join them in the garden. They passed the box around expectantly.
So shadows come and the glory fades.
While some saw nothing but a decaying,
common garden ‘cabbage white,’ and thought they had quite lost their senses ~ these
lived on the outskirts of the garden, others did see a beautiful butterfly and
became fascinated with its exquisite markings. They spent much time, and many a
happy hour examining it with magnifying glasses; making careful notes of the
detailed patterns on its wings and then comparing them with the textbook. They
uncovered many marvellous things about this new butterfly! They found exciting
messages encoded in its extraordinary markings, which they were most earnest
and diligent to teach to one another. Those whose interests and passions seemed
similar, gathered themselves together, in separate groups in the garden.
Oh, the myriads of messages of fascinating
things to learn. They took great delight in these things. With them, they were
fulfilled and content; although there never seemed to be quite enough, and
their search for more was endless.
So shadows came and the glory faded.
Then one of the smallest children, who
lived in the centre of the garden, came and looked at the dead butterfly in the
box. “What have you done?” he cried, as he held the lifeless thing in his hand;
and he threw it down to the ground; and he wept in brokenness of heart.
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