The Magic Butterfly

Sally skipped down the grassy track at the side of the corn field. A warm breeze ruffled her hair as she shaded her eyes against the sun. High above in the blue sky she could hear the skylark singing. A beautiful orange butterfly glided down to land in front of her. Folding fragile wings against its tiny body, the creature became still, as the breeze ruffled the delicate wings.

Kneeling down she looked at each pretty colour. Startled the creature soared into the air above her, the clear gossamer wings moving with ease and grace. Sally followed the butterfly as it fluttered down the track to the end of the field.

Birds swooped in circles above her. A gap in the hedge led into the woods and she hesitated, as the creature vanished into the trees. She walked faster breathing in the sweet aroma of the woodland flowers. The quiet scared her and she almost turned back. Spellbound, she watched as the butterfly disappeared beneath the tree branches. She sank to her knees as it fluttered to the ground a few yards in front of her.
To her amazement and joy butterflies of different colours and sizes fluttered out of the gloom in a cloud of wings. Her hands began to shake as the orange butterfly landed on her arm. Mesmerised by the beautiful creatures, she felt drowsy, and sank down onto a pile of fallen leaves and fell asleep.

Hours later she awoke and sat up, to brush leaves from her clothes. Gazing around tears brimmed in her eyes, her lovely butterflies had vanished into thin air.

A small circle of gold dust lay on the hairs on her arm. Searching for her hankie, she shook the dust onto the material, folded it carefully and put it into her pocket.

Later that afternoon she arrived home, and told her Mum about the walk in the corn field, but did not mention the butterfly. Running upstairs to her bedroom, she closed the door quietly and searched in the bedside cupboard. Sally found a small jewel box, lined inside with blue velvet.

She opened her hankie and shook the gold dust into the box, where it settled like a golden cloak onto the material. She clicked the lid shut and hid the box under her bed.

After tea she lay on the sofa reading a book, as her Mum took out her sewing basket. An hour later she yawned and began to day dream about the orange butterfly. Putting down her book, she gave her Mum a hug and kiss and went upstairs to bed.

In the early hours Sally awoke to see moonlight shining through a chink in the curtains. Leaning down she reached under the bed and picked up the jewel box. Lifting the lid her eyes widened as the light fell upon the velvet lining.

Where earlier the gold dust had settled, now lay a tiny orange butterfly. An orange stone inset, like eyes in each wing, shone in the darkness. Sally lifted the butterfly out of the box and it seemed to nestle in her palm.

Climbing out of bed she put the butterfly on the windowsill, and inhaled the sweet aroma of honeysuckle, which drifted through the open window. Gazing up at the moon as it began to wane in the sky, she stepped back in amazement. The tiny butterfly soared into the air and glided out of the window.

Gazing out she watched the tiny creature fade from view into the night sky. With a deep sigh, she closed the curtains and climbed back into bed. Nestling her head on the pillow, she knew the butterfly would be her special secret. Drifting off to sleep, Sally joined the butterfly once more in her dreams.