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wings and sleep. He would sleep and he would dream. He dreamed of all he would bring to others when morrow came.
For nearly all of summer he spent his days fluttering from glen to glen and glade to glade. Over hills and into valleys his summer's journey took him. Once he even traveled to a town, which wasn't far away. He landed on chimney tops and flew in through open windows with gossamer billowy curtains. He learned so much each day. He met so many living things that summer. Each so different yet so much alike. There were kittens and puppies, and cows of many colors. Chipmunks and squirrels and rabbits all became his friends. And, best of all the children who took delight in his splendid gifts. Each night, as darkness brought him sleep and peace, he slept and silently gave thanks for all the gifts that he could share. Life was perfect, almost. Something was amiss, but he didn't know what it was.

Then, one fine day near summer's end, Oliver found himself higher up than he had ever been before. He could see, far far off in the hazy distance, a hill that he had never seen before. I must journey to that hill the thought. Perhaps there will be more for me see and learn. And so, off he went.
It was a longer journey then he had thought. All the day he flew and flew. When his tired wings would not take him yet another mile he stopped and rested on a high tree branch. Then off he went once more. King Sol was beginning his descent and giving way for Mr. Moon when Oliver finally reached his destination.
It was that time, twixt day and eve, when haze settles upon the land. Just a tiny distance more he thought and I will see what lies beyond. He had never felt so tired before but onward up and over he went ignoring all but his desire to see the other side.
There, just beyond the hilltop, Oliver saw a sight that he could not believe. Far below was golden meadow with a cool meandering stream flowing through. It was the meadow from the dream he had when he slept and was entwined. Through the hazy haze he saw a million flitting wings. There were so many that the meadow floor appeared alive. Down, down he flew to get a closer look.
"Do my eyes deceive?" he shouted in the air. "They all have wings like mine."
In a second he was besieged as the other Monarchs came to greet him. One comely young lady fluttered by his side.
"Glad to meet you", she said with big wide grin. "My name is Camellia, Camellia D. Plexippus. What is yours? What took you so long? Oh, it doesn't matter at all. The only thing important is that you have finally arrived."
"My name is Oliver," he said. "I have had so many adventures but until this very minute I believed I was the only one of my kind. I was near content to live my days bringing joy to others. Although finding this place and all of you has made things so much more.
"Come, come", his new pretty friend beckoned with a flutter of her wings. "I will introduce you to all so you may tell us of those adventures."
And, so off they flew into a cloud that was the Kingdom of the Monarchs. Oliver D. Plexippus was home at last. The journey had been a long and scary one, but he had learned so much, which made it all worthwhile. He could hardly wait to tell it all to those who came to greet him. Secretly though, he was certain that they already knew.

H. Gleichenhaus

Learn more about this author, Howard G.
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