Butterflies Fight Back

Photo by: TJ Paris

“Look Mommy!” said six-year old Amy. “A Butterfly!”

“Ooh,” said Kaitlin. “I’ve never seen that one.”

“Oh no!” squealed Amy. “There’s a praying mantis stalking it. Fight him, butterfly!”

“Oh sorry, Honey,” said Kaitlin. “Butterflies are harmless creatures. They don’t fight.”

Amy was close to tears. “But you said even prey get to fight. Like that zebra on the TV. It kicked the lion.”

Kaitlin hugged her daughter. “I know, Honey. Butterflies just aren’t like that.”

Amy lunged for the butterfly. “We’ve got to save him!”

Kaitlin held her back. “No, Honey. We can’t interfere. It’s the Circle of Life like I told you. Some animals get eaten so others may live.”

“But it’s not fair!” sobbed Amy!

Just as the mantis reached striking distance from the butterfly, the butterfly reared up. A tiny stream of fire streaked from the butterfly’s head. In an instant, the mantis was engulfed in flames. Its body crisped, then fell away.

Kaitlin stared, speechless. How would she explain this?

“See, Mommy,” smirked Amy. “You were wrong. Butterflies fight back!”
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Written for the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers weekly writing challenge. Each week, hordes of folks join to write for this fun challenge. Look here to see what other writers wrote: https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2015/10/20/fffaw-week-of-10-20-2015/