Technicolor Bugs

I walked along the flower lined path at the little barn and noted that nature had decided to be creative in her display this Spring. I paused a moment to determine the name for one such color and was distracted by tiny voices below me. I craned my ear toward the source of the commotion. Peering through the tapestry of colors alongside the drive, I noticed a miniature procession. It was being led by the most important looking beetle that I had ever seen. He was polished and so shiny that my reflection looked back at me from his black shell. Atop his head, was a large grey top hat made of the highest quality mouse fur available. He wielded a walking cane that appeared to be ivory- I surmised it must be polished bone although it was so fine and fragile it was nearly transluscent.

Behind the surely important beetle, there was a pair of matching caterpillars with unruly orange hairs. Although they wore matching harnesses, the caterpillars creeped with untamed beauty as they tossed their fine heads. Behind the unruly pair of caterpillars, was an expertly crafted sleigh driven by a handsome carpenter ant. Several of his arms deftly held silken spider web reins used to control the lively caterpillars as the rest of his legs lifted and steadied his body into an upright position atop the sleigh. With each powerful thrust, the caterpillars propelled the unusual contraption forward.

The contents of the sleigh were at first hard to distinguish. I knelt onto the gravel drive to peer more closely at the procession. From my new vantage point, I had a much better view. There, carefully contained in the handcrafted wooden sleigh and nestled among a downy bed of dandelion fluff, was a lady bug. She was heavy with bug and her discomfort was evident as she shifted her bulk trying to find comfort. Her black spots seemed to have taken on shapes of their own and were no longer dots but rather splotches on her ruby exoskeleton. Although she was trying not to grimace I noted that she had the most exquisite face I had ever seen on a bug- lady or not.

The flowered canopy cast a rainbow of shadows across their path and I could not help but wonder about this technicolor parade beneath my nose. Then, before I could ponder their destination or origination, the important beetle lifted his cane into the air above his head. Behind him, the carpenter ant deftly pulled the spirited team of caterpillars to a halt.

To Be Continued...