The rosy maple moth became a nature monk and took a vow of silence. He trained in the natural arts and spent much of his time clinging to windows and contemplating the mysteries of reflection.
listen up
“Listen up, troops. We’ve got a lot of work to do and not much time to do it.”
Mr. Polyphemus
Mr. Polyphemus spent the few days of his adult life chasing the moon about the night sky, then he settled onto a forgotten shelf to die in serenity, dreaming of catching the moon at last.
butterflies
The meadow was in a terrible mood. “Oh dear,” thought the nature fairies, and sent in their best team of butterflies to tickle the blossoms and lift the meadow’s spirits.
ghosts
Steam rose from the road after the last of the rain fell; ghosts of forgotten roadtrips and friendships forged on summer pavement.
sea monsters
Burgle the sea monster wasn’t much to look at, but that doesn’t matter. When not chasing fish about the bay, he spends his time collecting the best of the flotsam and jetsam to cast upon the shore at high tide. He hasn’t seen a treasure chest in years, but he’s hopeful one with turn up soon.
the bumble bee and the blossom
He clung to the chive blossom as the raindrops pummeled him. “Hold on, hold on,” said the chive. “I’ll never let you go,” answered the bee.
fallen leaf
The leaves looked on in horror as one of their own skittered to the gravel below. “Avenge me,” was all it said.
samaras
His mother’s jaw dropped when she saw the little boy’s stash of maple samaras hidden under his bed. “There’s an entire generation of maple trees here,” she said.
The boy gathered them into his arms and shook his head. “No, mom, don’t you know they’re helicopters?”
pick me not
“If you pick a lady’s slipper, it will never bloom again,” said the dryad in his darkest voice, “and woe to the one who does, for the curse will transfer unto them at once. Life’s bloom will fade from their cheeks and armies of black flies will feast upon their flesh.”
Check out my short story “Tapestry” on Scribbles on Cocktail Napkins!
Jennifer Shelby 