This is an excerpt from a book I wrote 8 years ago. It is a story about a shy butterfly that lives his life in the shadows of trees and is afraid to come out into the sunlight and play. The illustrations are by the talented Debby Edwards who added the perfect touch with her delightful pictures to my words, enjoy:
The Shy Butterfly
The shy butterfly hid around corners, ducked under leaves
and never flew out in the bright of day.The shy butterfly kept to itself, not happy,
not unhappy, just shy and unaware of the beauty of life waiting but a few feet away.
~
Each day as the sun would set and night begin to descend,
The shy butterfuly would emerge from the shadows flying cautiously from one nearby place to another.
In the full darkness of night the shy butterfly would sit quietly in place until dawn arrived.
~
With the arrival of daybreak and sunlight the shy butterfuly would move again into the shadows of the trees.
The shy butterfly lived a half-life of in-betweens in sheltered dark surroundings never realizing
what he was missing!
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This is the beginning of a short story, a childrens book I wrote a few years ago. I wrote the book to remind children to not be afraid of life, it is an uplifting book filled with child-like drawings where the shy butterfly eventually (with the help of a Monarch butterfly) spreads its wings, and comes out into the sun to enjoy life fully.
Recently I was reminded that adults need this reminder too. There is a young lady artist/blogger, that I’ve been privately communicating with, right now, who is feeling this way and so for you …here is the ending to this story. This is for all to read and perhaps think on.
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“Come,” She said, beckoning to the blue sky with its high fluffy clouds. “They call to us. Let us go and enjoy the day. This wonderful, glorious day.”
She flew up into the sky, sure-winged and effortless. She looked back calling to the shy butterfly, still perched on the edge of the rock.
~
“Remember, this new day is a gift for living and must be lived, or why have we bothered to be alive at all.“
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The shy butterfly took one final look back at his former world of shadows, then rose to follow after the Monarch. His heart filled with the light and beauty of life.
As he winged his way into the brilliant morning sunlight, he finally understood what he’d missed before. If you don’t live life to the fullest, then you haven’t really lived.
Don’t waste the most precious gift of all – Every day of your life!

~
Penny L. Howe, 2004

Copyright © 2012 by Penny l Howe