Butterfly Wings

“Are they done yet?” asked Maria eager to see the final product.

“Almost done, Dear.  Just hold still,” said Ophelia pushing her eye glasses back up.  This will be her greatest piece.  There can be no mistakes.  Everyone will see them during the festival.  She would retire after this.  Her paint brushes and paint will all be put away.  Her bags were packed and she was ready to leave the others. It was time to see what else was out there.  Her plans were to fly further south to the edge of the Andean mountains.

Since her migration into Mexico, she hadn’t left Michoacán.  It had become her home the last couple of months.  She knew she had very little time left and with so few of them coming in every year, there was worry that their kind would soon vanish. This is something she could not bear to witness.

“Oh, I just can’t wait.  I’ve told the others about our idea to transform into another butterfly.  I just can't believe no one has thought about it before. I’m going to be beautiful!” Maria said unable to keep her antennas from fluttering.  

"You are beautiful but this is definitely going to turn everyone's head for sure," Ophelia said.

“Just a couple more touches and we should be all done,” she said.  She felt guilty that she hadn't told Maria about her plans to leave.  She was like a daughter to her.

She added a few more strokes of red to Maria's new wings and put her brush down.  She took a step back and admired her work.  The wings were finally done.  She had transformed Maria into a new butterfly.  She no longer looked like the rest of The Monarchs.  

"There, all done. Now take a look," Ophelia said.  She handed Maria a mirror.  

Maria took one look and gasped. "I can't believe it! They're beautiful." She flew in a circle admiring every detail of her new wings.  They were fire red with glitter.  No longer black and orange.  Maria would be the talk of the festival.  Stories would be told of her and passed on from migration to migration.

"I must hurry and catch up with the others.  The welcoming ceremony of the new butterflies will start soon," Maria said.  "I love you Ophelia,  thank you!" She bent her antenna down and gave Ophelia a butterfly kiss.

"It was an honor.  Now, off you go!" Ophelia said.

Maria hurried out and headed straight to the ceremony.  Ophelia quickly gathered her bags and said goodbye to her home.  

She had done the right thing and given Maria a gift she will never forget.  A new set of butterfly wings.

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