5 of 10

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

to a kind of magical world where fairies and pixies danced about in joyful play. It was as if I had entered a performance in which these colorful insects danced and fluttered a ballet of wondrous motion.

Once my eyes had adjusted to the surroundings, I began my exploration of this modest sized greenhouse. I stopped to observe tiny and seemingly delicate creatures as they alighted onto leaves or stopped to take nourishment at pieces of oranges and bananas placed around the vegetation. With wings that seemed more delicate than silk cloth, it was hard to believe the kinds of controlled flight they could achieve. Their bodies were an combination of spindly legs, protruding antennae and complex heads with remarkable eyes. Imagine how strange we must have appeared to them. I was reminded of the Christian hymn,

"All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all."

In a city that is known for winding canals, amazing architectural diversity and home to the works of the great art masters, it was a collection of butterflies that I found most transfixing. The tiny creatures seemed to be playing a game with their human observers, flitting in and amongst us, ever tempting us to reach out in hope they might alight on our hand. Perhaps this was their game of fun. I never saw a butterfly land on anyone's hand or shoulder. Perhaps they found no person among us whose presence would satisfy their need to visit with us. My being in their presence, however, was all that I needed to find peace and wonder on this day.

Learn more about this author, David Gerhart.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about How to make the best of each moment?
We want to hear your view. Write now!