Out of the Woods...

      And after awhile, you come out of the woods... and before you is a wide open place, of a fragrant green almost magical in its intensity; a tender new Earth of the softest sun-kissed grass you’ve ever seen scattered with daisies; the new Heaven’s ‘day’s eyes’ which were slowly opening. All around were new trees, and herbs and plants you have never seen, or never noticed before, all bedecked with pearl jewels and diadems sparkling, bathed in early morning dew and light, a million tiny rainbows there the sun has not yet taken up in vapours; but soon they shall rise and follow the pleasant folk: summer’s lost wraiths, despised and hated, yet which in winter’s death were set free.

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                                                 The Butterfly Story 

                                                  The Shadow and the Substance

       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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