Woolly's Wonderful Wings, Emmanuelle Briolat

Wool l y’ sWonder f ul Wi ngs

Emmanuel l eBr i ol at I l l ust r at edbyAndr ew SzopaComl ey

Haveyoueverbeensoexci t edt hatyoucan’ t st andst i l l ,can’ tst opj umpi ngupanddown?

That ’ show onel i t t l ecr eat ur ewasf eel i ng t oday,becauset odaywast hest ar tofa new l i f e:t hef i r stt i mehewoul dbe abl et ospr eadhi swi ngsandf l y.

He’ dhat chedoutf r om at i ny yel l ow eggi nt oal i t t l ehai r y cat er pi l l aratt heendofsummer whent heai rwasst i l lf ul lof br i ght l ycol our edbut t er f l i es, f l i t t i ngf r om f l owert of l owerabove hi shead.Eversi nce,he’ ddr eamed oft hedayhewoul dbej ustl i ke t hem.Theywer esobeaut i f ul–and j usti magi net hevi ew f r om upt her e!

Bei ngacat er pi l l ar ,ont heot herhand,wasn’ tmuchf unatal l ; cr awl i ngar oundwi t hhi snoset ot hegr ound,heneversaw anyt hi ngi nt er est i ng,andi tt ooksuchal ongt i met oget anywher e.Wor sest i l l ,hewashungr yALLTHETI ME,andi t ’ s har dt omakef r i endswhenyou’ r et oobusychompi ngawayt o st opandchat .

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Nott hati twoul dhavemademuchdi f f er ence;hi sl ongf l uf f y hai r swer esoi t chy,noonewant edt ocomet oocl ose.The ot hercat er pi l l ar scal l edhi m al lsor t sofnames–Spi ky,Pr i ckl y, Ti ckl y–butt heyneverwant edt oshar eal eafwi t hhi m.

Event hehumans,t hosebi gani mal swi t ht hel ongl egs,so cl umsyt heywer eal wayst hr eat eni ngt ost eponhi m -t hey l aughedathi mt oo.Wheneveroneoft hem saw hi m,t hey poi nt edandexcl ai med:“ I t ’ sawool l ybear ! ”J usti magi net hat , at i nybearper chedamongt hef l ower s!

Al lt hesame,hequi t el i kedt hatname,sot hatwaswhathe cal l edhi msel fnow;af t eral l ,bear swer ebi gandst r ongand i mpr essi ve–ever yt hi ngWool l yhopedt obeoneday.

Nomat t erwhatanyoneel sesai d,atl easthi st hi ck f l uf f ycoatkepthi m saf eandwar m.Wool l yhadweat her ed t hewi nt ert uckedawaysaf el yi nt heunder gr owt h,andwhen spr i ngcamehe’ dmunchedawaysomemor e,wat chi ngwi t h envyast hef i r stbut t er f l i esoft heyeart ookf l i ght .Then suddenl y,hehadn’ tf el thungr yanymor e,andheknew t he t i mehadcomef orhi mt ost ar thi sext r aor di nar y t r ansf or mat i on.

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Hest ar t edbyspi nni ngasi l kycocoonandwr appi nghi msel f upi nat oughpupalcase.Al lzi ppedup,asi fi nar eal l yt i ght sl eepi ngbag,heset t l eddownf orj ustal i t t l emor ewai t i ng. . .

Now,atl ast ,t odaywast heday!

Qui ver i ngwi t hant i ci pat i on,l i t t l eWool l ybur stt hr ought he har dshel lofhi spupa,cr awl edoutofhi scocoonandt ot t er ed upagr assst em,al i t t l eunst eadyonhi sl ongandspi ndl yl egs.

I twasst r anget obeabl et omoveagai n,buti twassuchaj oy t oo!Het est edoutal lhi snew bodypar t s,wr i ggl i nghi sf eat her y ant ennaeandf l i cki nghi st ongue.Nomor ebi t t erl eavesf or hi m now,onl yt hesweet estnect aroff l ower s!

Fi nal l y,Wool l yt ur nedhi sat t ent i ont ohi swi ngs.Ashehung upsi dedownf r om t hest em,t heyexpandedl i kesai l si nt he wi nd,dwar f i nghi sbody.Theywer ehuge,andbr eat ht aki ngl y beaut i f ul :t hef or ewi ngsani nt r i cat epat t er nofchocol at ebr own l acedwi t hcr eam,t hehi ndwi ngst hesamebr i ghtshadeof or angeast hemostspect acul arsunset .Ther ewer ebr i ghtbl ue ci r cl est oo,spar kl i ngl i ket heseaonasunnyday,andout l i ned i nbl ackt ost andoutevenmor e.Thi swassomuchbet t ert han he’ dhoped.

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Wool l ycoul dn’ twai tt oshow of fhi snew out f i t ;sur el y ever ybodywoul dbeadmi r i nghi mf r om now on.Hast i l y,he cl amber edt ot het opoft hegr assst em t ot akei nt hevi ew.I n t hedi st ance,t heai rwasf ul loft i nyf l ut t er i ngcr eat ur es,al lt he col our soft her ai nbow.

Ti met omeetsomeot herbut t er f l i es j ustl i kehi m.Het ent at i vel yf l apped hi swi ngs,t hen,t aki ngadeepbr eat h, l aunchedhi msel fi nt ot heai r .

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Whataf eel i ng,t hewi ndcar essi nghi swi ngs, t hemeadow spr eadi ngoutbeneat hhi m, amyr i adofnew smel l st omakehi s ant ennaet i ngl e.Hel ett hebr eeze gent l ycar r yhi mt owar dsacl ust er off l ower s,but t er f l i est wi r l i ng ar oundhi mi nabl urofbl uesand yel l ows,whi t eandor ange.

Ashel anded,ani mposi ngbl ackand r edbut t er f l yper chednextt ohi m. “ Ahoyt her e,youngsi r ! ” heannounced. “ I ’ mt heRed Admi r al ,t he capt ai nof t hi sl i t t l e cr ew.

Whatcanwe dof oryou t oday? ”

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Wool l ycoul dn’ tbel i evei t .He’ dbar el yar r i vedand al r eadybut t er f l i eswer er ushi ngt omeethi m! “ Hel l o, ”her epl i edent husi ast i cal l y. “ Myname’ sWool l y,andi t ’ smyf i r st dayasabut t er f l y.I ’ ml ooki ngf or somef r i endst oshow met her opes. ” TheRedAdmi r all ookedhi m upanddown. “ Ar eyouqui t ecomf or t abl ewi t hyour wi ngsl i ket hat ? ”heasked.

“ Why,am Idoi ngsomet hi ng wr ong? ” Wool l ywr i ggl edhi s wi ngst hencar ef ul l yf ol ded t hem f l atoverhi sbackagai n.

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“ Webut t er f l i eshol dourwi ngsupr i ght ,l i ket hi s, ”r epl i edt he admi r al ,ashedemonst r at ed. “ Yourant ennael ookabi tst r anget oo…I ’ m sor r yt osay,Idon’ t t hi nkyou’ r eabut t er f l yatal l .Youmustbeamot h! ” A mot h?Wool l ywasast ounded.Mot hswer edul landdr ab– nobodyl i kedmot hs.Thi swasn’ tatal lwhathe’ dhadi nmi nd. “ Butt hatcan’ tbe! ”hespl ut t er ed.“ J ustl ookatmywi ngs–have youeverseenamot hascol our f ulast hi s? ” “ Ican’ thel pyou,l ad.Idon’ tknow anyt hi ngaboutmot hs.

Butwhydon’ tyouaskt hem upt her e? ”hecal l edashef l ut t er ed of f .Obvi ousl yhewasn’ tt her i ghtf r i endf orWool l y.

Hel ookedup,j usti nt i met oseeapai rofst r i pedi nsect swhi zz pasthi m. “ Excuseme,wai tf orme! ”shout edWool l y,r aci ngaf t ert hem. “ I ’ ml ooki ngf orsomemot hs–doyouknow any? ”

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Per chi ngonbl adesofgr ass,t heypausedt ol ethi m cat chup.

Wool l yf l oppeddownbesi det hem,pant i ngt ogethi sbr eat h back. “ Wel l ,you’ vef oundsome,we’ r emot hs.Cl ear wi ngmot hs,but mot hsal lt hesame! ”oneoft hem l aughed. “ Real l y? ”Wool l yst ar edatt hei ryel l ow andbl ackbodi esand cl earwi ngs,andshookhi shead.“ Youl ookj ustl i kewaspst ome! ” Thel ar germot hgi ggl edandnudgedt heot herone. “ See,It ol dyout hi sdi sgui sewoul dwor kat r eat !Ever ybody’ s f ool ed! ” Wool l ywasut t er l yconf used.He’ dspentmont hswant i ngt obe abeaut i f ulcr eat ur el i ket hem. “ Whyar eyout r yi ngt opr et endt obesomet hi ngel se? ”heasked. “ That ’ show west aysaf e.I fyoul ookl i keahor netorawasp, noonecomest obot heryou,andnoonewant st oeatyou– t hey’ r et ooaf r ai dofbei ngst ung! ”

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“ Coul dIt r yt hatt oo? ”askedWool l y.

Thecl ear wi ngsl ookedhi m upanddown,f l yi ngr oundhi mt o i nspecthi swi ngs.“ Hmm…I ’ m notsur e, ”si ghedt hebi gHor net Mot h.“ Youdon’ tl ookl i kemucht ome. ” Wool l yt r i edhar dnott opr ot est–he’ dbeensopr oudofhi s gor geouswi ngs.Ashi sant ennaedr oopedi ndi sappoi nt ment , t heot hermot hchi medi n,“ Wel l ,youdor emi ndmeabi tofa t or t oi se,wi t ht hatpat t er n.Ormaybeagi r af f e. . .

Yes,def i ni t el y l i keagi r af f e’ smar ki ngs” .

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Eagert opl ease,Wool l ycar ef ul l ycover edhi shi ndwi ngs,st uck hi sl egsoutver yst r ai ght ,andst r et chedhi sneckoutasf aras i tcoul dgo.“ Li ket hi s? ” Thecl ear wi ngswer eshaki ngwi t hl aught er . “ Ni cet r y,butIdon’ tt hi nkyou’ r equi t et her i ghtshape! ”t hey chuckl ed.

AsWool l yshookhi msel fandpr epar edt ot r yagai n,t hel ar ger mot hgl ancedt owar dst hehor i zon.Thesunwasset t i ng,cast i ng awar m gl ow overt hemeadow. “ Oh,dear ,wemustgo.I t ’ st i mef orust oheadof ft obed! ” “ Al r eady?ButI ’ vebar el yst ar t edpr act i si ng, ”excl ai medWool l y, “ andI ’ m notsl eepyatal l ! ” “ We’ vebeenf l yi ngal lday,butdon’ twor r y;mostmot hswi l lbe j ustl i keyou.We’ r esor r ywecan’ thel pyoumor e.Whydon’ tyou asksomeoft heot her s,overneart hewoods?Theywer ej ust waki ngupwhenwef l ew past . ”Wi t ht hat ,t heywer egone, l eavi nghi m al oneoncemor e.Appar ent l yt heywer en’ tgoi ngt o bef r i endswi t hWool l yei t her .

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I twashar dwor kt r yi ngt obeagi r af f e.Per hapsi fhef oundt he ot hermot hs,t heywoul dshow hi m somet hi ngeasi er .Wool l y t ookof ft owar dst hewoods,andi nt hegol deneveni ngl i ght hef oundt hem,f l ut t er i ngar oundt het r eesandcal l i ngt oeach ot her . “ I ’ veseenyou!I ’ vef oundyoual l ! ”l aughedonemot hi nt he mi ddl e. “ Ooh,whoar eyou? ”sheaskedasshecaughtsi ghtofWool l y. “ Hel l o!Myname’ sWool l y.I t ’ smyf i r stdayasamot h,andI ’ m notr eal l ysur ewhatI ’ m supposedt odo.Whatar eyouupt o? ” “ We’ r ej ustpl ayi nghi deandseekher eunt i li tget sdar kenough t ogoout .Doyouwantt opl ayt oo? ” Ofcour seWool l ywant edt opl ay.Maybehi st r oubl eswer eover , now t hathe’ df oundt hi sl i t t l egr oupofmot hs. “ I ’ l lbet heseekert hi st i me, ”hedeci ded,andcl osedhi seyest o l ett heot her shi de.

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Theywer eal lsor t sofpat t er ns,speckl edorst r i ped,i na mul t i t udeofshadesofbr ownandgr eyandwhi t e.Oncet hey l andedont het r eesandbushes,t heyj ustdi sappear ed,andi t t ookWool l yanawf ul l yl ongt i met of i ndt hem agai n.Yetwhen i twashi st ur nt ohi de,hewasal wayst hef i r stt obespot t ed.

Copyi ngt heot hermot hs,hehi dont r eebar kandi nt hel ong gr ass.Hehi dbehi ndst onesandunderl eaves,butst i l lt hey hadnot r oubl ef i ndi nghi m. “ You’ r eal lsogoodatt hi s, ”hesi ghed.“ I ’ m usel ess! ” “ You’ r equi t ehar dt oseef r om f araway, ”t heyt r i edt oconsol e hi m.“ Butcl oseup,t hosel i t t l er edpat chesonyourf aceal ways gi veyouaway.Maybet hi si sn’ tt her i ghtgamef oryou. ” Theywer et r yi ngt obeni ce,butWool l ycoul dt el lt heydi dn’ t wantt opl aywi t hhi m anymor e.I tr eal l ywashar dt omake f r i endsouther e.

Hef l ut t er edawayf r om t heot hermot hsandset t l edonaf al l en l eaf .Whatshoul dhedonext ?Wher eshoul dhego?

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“ Doyoumi nd? ”gr owl edavoi ceunder neat hhi m.“ I t ’ snot pol i t et osi tonpeopl e,youknow. ” Wool l ynear l yf el loveri nshock.Wast hel eafal i ve?Hepeer ed ati ti nt ent l y.Sl owl y,t hel eafwr i ggl edandwr i t hedt or eveala head,andf eet ,andapai rofver yoddl yshapedwi ngs.Wool l y coul dbar el ybel i evehi seyes:i twasamot h!

“ I ’ m sosor r y! ” excl ai medWool l y. “ It houghtyouwer ea deadl eaf .Ineverwoul d havel andedonyou ot her wi se. ”

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“ Ishoul dhopenot , ”gr umbl edt hemot h. “ Andwat chwher eyou’ r egoi ng,youcl umsyt hi ng. ” Wool l yt ur nedt oseeal ar gepi l eofbi r ddr oppi ngsr i ght behi ndhi m.“ Aar gh,t hat ’ sdi sgust i ng!Thankyou,Inear l y wal kedr i ghti nt ot hat . ” ButpoorWool l ywasi nf ormor esur pr i ses.Thedr oppi ngs shuf f l edar oundandsni f f ed,“ Ther e’ snoneedt ober ude. ” Wool l yj umpedagai n;now bi r dpoocoul dspeakt oo! “ Ar eyouamot haswel l ? ”hewhi sper ed. “ Yes,Iam!Youmi ghtnot l i kemycost ume,buti t ’ sa ver yef f ect i vedi sgui se, I ’ l lhaveyouknow.

Atl eastnobody i sgoi ngt oeatME t oni ght . ”

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Ther ewasnot hi ngWool l ycoul dsayt ot hat .Af t eral l ,her eal l y di dn’ twantt obeeat enei t her ,andt obehonesthewasst ar t i ng t of eelabi tf r i ght ened. “ CanIst aywi t hyou? ”heasked.“ I ’ l lber eal l yqui etandI ’ l lbe ver yst i l l ,j ustl i keyou. ” “ I ’ m sor r y,butyoucan’ tst ayher e,you’ r ej ustt oobr i ght .We don’ tl i ket oat t r actat t ent i on, ”t hel eaf shapedmot hr epl i ed, r ust l i nghi swi ngsbacki nt oposi t i on.

Wool l ysi ghed.Tot hi nkhe’ dbeensopr oudofhi sbeaut i f ul wi ngs!Hewasn’ tmaki nganyf r i endsatal l ,andi tseemedhe wasn’ tsaf eei t her .

Outoft hecor nerofhi seye,hespot t edaf l ashofr edi nt henext cl ear i ng.Coul dt her ebesomeoneel seasbr i ght l ycol our edas hewas?Her ushedover ,butbyt het i mehear r i ved,hecoul dn’ t seei tanymor e.How coul di tj ustdi sappear ? “ Hel l o? ”hecal l ed.“ I sanybodyt her e? ”

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Thewoodswer esi l ent .J ustashewasaboutt ogi veup,t her ei t wasagai n,r i ghtnextt ohi m.Hebl i nked,andsaw al ar gegr ey mot h,i t swi ngsmot t l edwi t hbr ownspeckl es,mel t i ng seaml essl yi nt ot hebar kofat r ee. “ Excuseme,haveyouseensomet hi ng br i ghtr ed? ”Wool l yenqui r edpol i t el y. “ I twasher ej ustasecondago, butI ’ vel osti tnow! ” “ Di di tl ookl i ket hi s? ” r epl i edt heot hermot h, f l i cki nghi sf or ewi ngs opent or evealbr i ght cr i msonhi ndwi ngs under neat h,bef or e qui ckl ycover i ng t hem agai n. “ Yes,t hat ’ sexact l yi t !How di dyoudot hat ? ” “ I t ’ seasy!Iusemyf or ewi ngst ohi deamongstt het r ees,buti f

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I ’ m spot t ed,If l ashmybr i ghthi ndwi ngst ost ar t l ewhoever ’ s wat chi ng.Whi l et hey’ r ewonder i ngwhatj usthappened,I havet i met ohi desomewher eel seagai n.That ’ swhyt heycal l meanunder wi ng–i t ’ swher eIkeepmysecr etweapon! ” “ That ’ ssocl ever ! ”gaspedWool l y. “ I fyout hi nkt hatwasgood,j ustwai tunt i lyouseewhatmy f r i endovert her ecando.Hawks,show usyourpar t yt r i ck,wi l l you? ”hecal l ed,gest ur i ngt owar dst henextt r eet r unk.

Squi nt i ng,Wool l ycoul dj ustaboutpi ckoutapai rofmot t l ed wi ngs,anot herper f ecti mi t at i onoff al l enl eaves.Suddenl y t hough,t heymovedapar t ,andapai rofenor mousbr i ghtbl ue eyesappear ed,gl ar i ngst r ai ghtatWool l y!Hesqueakedi nshock, butj ustasqui ckl yast hey’ demer ged,t heeyeswer egoneagai n.

Event houghheknew t heywer en’ tt her ealeyesofr ealbi r d, Wool l y’ shear twasst i l lpoundi ng. “ Wow,t hatwasf ant ast i c! ”hecal l edi nadmi r at i on.

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“ Youcoul ddo t hatt oo,you know, ”sai d t heunder wi ng, exami ni nghi m mor ecl osel y.“ Ican seeyou’ vegotsome ver ybr i ghthi ndwi ngs, andt hosebl uemar ki ngs coul dpassf oreyespot saswel l . ” “ Real l y? ”Wool l ywasdel i ght ed.Atl asthi swi ngswer eusef ul f orsomet hi ng!Hef l appedt hem t hi swayandt hat ,t r yi ngt o mast ert het echni que. “ Notbad,t hat ’ sver yscar yi ndeed! ”l aughedhi snew t eacher . “ That ’ senoughnow t hough–i twi l lonl ywor ki fyoukeepver y st i l lunt i lyout hi nkyou’ vebeenspot t ed.Whydon’ tyouf i nd your sel fsomewher equi ett opr act i se?”hesai d,i ndi cat i ng t hel onggr assatt heedgeoft hewoods.

Wool l ydi dashewast ol dandheadedaway,outoft hef or est andi nt ot heopenai r .Hewassadt ol eavet hough.How washe

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supposedt omakef r i endsi fhehadt ost ayal oneandkeepsi l ent al lt het i me?

I twasni ghtt i menow,butatl easthewasn’ tscar edanymor e.He coul df l i ckhi swi ngsandf l ashhi sbr i ghtcol our sl i ket hebestof t hem;t hatwoul dkeephi m saf e,t hat ’ swhatt hey’ dsai d.

Al lofasudden,hehear dwi ngsf l ap–nott hel i ghtf l ut t erof l i t t l emot hwi ngs,butt heheavysl apofahungr ybi r dorbat .

Ti met oputwhathe’ dl ear nedi nt opr act i ce.Heopenedandshut hi swi ngst oshow of fhi sor angehi ndwi ngsandhi sbr i ghtspot s.

Tool at e,her eal i sedt hatt hi swoul dn’ twor ki fhewasf l yi ng;but byt hen,hewasal r eadyt umbl i ngt hr ought heai r .I napani c,he f l ut t er edandf l apped,desper at et oescape,hur t l i ngt hr ought he meadow,now t ot al l yl ost .

Outofnowher e,hesaw abr i ghtl i ght ,abeaconi nt hedar kness –per hapshe’ dbesaf et her e.Hehur r i edt owar dsi t ,buthewas sobl i ndedbyt hel i ghtt hathecr ashedheadf i r sti nt oi t ,f al l i ng downont osomet hi ngsof tbel ow.

Al i t t l edazed,her i ght edhi msel fandl ookedar ound.

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Wher ewashe?Ther ewer et al lwal l sonever ysi de,sohi ghhe coul dbar el yseet heskyatt hever yt op,j ustbeyondt hat dazzl i ngl i ght .Hewast r apped! “ Don’ tbot hert r yi ngt of l youtagai n,i tcan’ tbedone.You’ l lj ust havet owai tunt i lshel et susouti nt hemor ni ng, ”sai dadeep voi cebehi ndhi m.

Wool l yt ur nedr oundandf oundhi msel ff aci ngt hel ar gestpai r ofeyeshe’ deverseen.Gaspi ng,hest umbl edbackwar ds,al most f al l i ngoveragai n. “ Ther e’ snoneedt obef r i ght ened,t hey’ r eonl ymar ki ngs! ” chuckl edt hehugemot ht owhom t heeyesbel onged.“ I ’ mt he Emper orMot h,andyou’ vej ustl andedi nmycour t .Whoar eyou? ” “ Myname’ sWool l y.I t ’ smyf i r stdayasamot h,andI ’ m not doi ngver ywel lsof ar ! ”hesi ghed. “ Wel lt hen,wel comet omypal ace,Wool l y,i t ’ sgoodt oseesome new f acesr oundher e.Oneofmyf oot menwi l lshow you

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r oundandi nt r oduceyout oever yone. ” Al i t t l emot hshotoutf r om behi ndt heEmper or ,hi spal ewi ngs t uckedneat l yoverhi sback. “ I fyou’ df ol l ow me,si r ,t hi swaypl ease, ”hesai dwi t hal i t t l ebow.

Wool l yf ol l owedobedi ent l yast hef oot manl edhi m acr osst he l umpygr ound,poi nt i ngt oal lsor t sofmot hsWool l yhadnever seenbef or e.Her eel edof ft hei rnames:“ Thi si st heMagpi e, si t t i ngwi t ht heFoxandt heLeopar d.Her ei sal i t t l egr oupof Pugs,-oh,t her ear esomeShar kst oo-andovert her ei san El ephantHawkmot h. ” Wool l ycoul dn’ tbel i evehi sear s.Foxesandl eopar ds?Magpi es andhawks?Thi sseemedl i keaver ydanger ouspl acet obe.And how onear t hdi danel ephantf i ti nher e?Thef oot mannot i ced hi st er r i f i edexpr essi onandl aughed.“ Don’ twor r y,t hey’ r ej ust names!Noonei sgoi ngt ohur tyou;we’ r eal lver yf r i endl ymot hs her e. ” Wool l yl aughedt oo.Real l y,hehadt ost opbei ngscar edof ever yt hi ng.Thought her ewasj ustonel astt hi ngt owor r yabout …

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“ Whathappensi nt hemor ni ng? ”heasked.“ Whol et susout ? ” “ I t ’ sPr of essorPenny!Someni ght ssheput st hi sl i ghtoutt of i nd us,andi nt hemor ni ngshecomest osayhel l o.Shecount sus, t akessomepi ct ur es,t henset susf r eeagai n.Shebr i ngsadog al ongt oo–he’ scal l edWi l son.He’ sabi texci t abl eandl i kest o st i ckhi ssnoutal i t t l et oocl ose,buthe’ shar ml essr eal l y.Penny’ s al waysver ychat t y,andsheknowseversomuch. ” “ Ar eyout al ki ngaboutPr of essorPenny?You’ l ll i keher , ever ybodydoes, ”gushedamot hwi t hdel i cat el ypat t er nedgr ey wi ngs.“ Sheal wayssaysI ’ m abeaut y.Icomeher equi t eof t en,i t ’ s soni cet ogetcompl i ment s! ”sheconf essed,wi nki ngatWool l y. “ Shecal l sme“ Mer vei l l eduJ our ”-t hat ’ sFr enchf orwonderof t heday,youknow, ”chi medi nanot her ,f l ut t er i ngherpr et t y gr eenwi ngs.“ Ther e’ sr eal l ynot hi ngt owor r yabout ! ” SoWool l yandt heot her spat i ent l ywai t edf ordawn,andPr of essor Penny.Wool l ycoul dn’ twai tt omeether .Secr et l y,hehopedt hat shemi ghtbeabl et ohel phi m;i fsheknew al otaboutmot hs, maybeshewoul dknow whyhewassodi f f er entf r om t heot her s.

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Hewasj ustst ar t i ngt odozeof fwhenhehear dr ust l i ngand voi ceshi ghabovet het r ap.St r et chi nghi sl egsandf l ut t er i nghi s wi ngs,hel ookedupt oseet wof acesst ar i ngdowni nt ot het r ap, oneasmi l i ngyoungwoman,andt heot herherf ai t hf ulscr uf f y t er r i er .Theywer eher eatl ast ! “ Hel l o!Whodowehavei nher et oday? ” Set t i ngdownherbul gi ngf i el dbag,Pr of essorPennyopenedup t het r ap.Eversogent l y,shepi ckedupeachmot hi nt ur n, ent husi ast i cal l yadmi r i ngt hei rcol our sandpat t er ns,and scr i bbl i ngf ur i ousl yi nt ohernot ebook.Asshedi dso,herdog snuf f l edar oundt het r ap,unt i lhecamesnoutt osnoutwi t h Wool l y.Wi t hanexci t edyel p,hebeganchasi nghi st ai lr ound andr ound,soqui ckl yi twasmaki ngWool l y’ sheadspi n.At l ast ,Pennyl ookedupf r om herwor kandnot i cedt hecommot i on. “ Ar eyout r yi ngt ot el lmesomet hi ngWi l son? ”shel aughed. “ Whathaveyouf oundt hi st i me? ” Looki ngr oundi nt ot hecor nerwher eWi l sonwasst ar i ngso i nt ent l y,Pr of essorPennyf i nal l ycaughtsi ghtofWool l y.

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“ Gazooks! ”sheexcl ai med,hereyesl i ght i ngup.

Shecuppedherhandsr oundWool l y,andl i f t edhi m upcl oset o herf ace. “ A Gar denTi ger-Ican’ tbel i evei t !Theyusedt obecommon, butt hey’ r emuchr ar ernow,sot hi si sr eal l yl ucky.J ustl ookat t hosecol our s! ” Wi l son,cal mernow t hatPennyhadunder st oodhi sexci t ement , cockedhi sheadasshet ur nedt owar dshi m.“ Thi smot hi sr eal l y speci al ,Wi l son.Thebr i ghtcol our swar npr edat or st hathei sn’ t goodt oeat ,andt hatt heyshoul dn’ tat t ackhi m.He’ spoi sonous, becausewhenhewasacat er pi l l arheat epl ant swi t ht oxi c chemi cal s,andst or edt hem awaysohecoul ddef endhi msel f .

Andwi t hsuchf l ashycol our s,nobody’ sgoi ngt omakeami st ake andt ast ehi m byacci dent .I sn’ thecl ever ? ” Wool l ycoul dhar dl ybel i evewhathewashear i ng.I tdi dn’ t mat t ert hathewashopel essathi di ngawayorpr et endi ngt obe somet hi ngel se,orevenf l ashi nghi swi ngsatt her i ghtt i me–he wasj ustf i neashewas.

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“ Wi l lyouposef oraphot ogr aph? ”askedPenny,del i cat el y pl aci nghi m ont het i pofWi l son’ ssnout .

Asshepoi nt edhercamer at owar dst hem andcl i ckedaway, Wool l yst oodmot i onl ess,hi swi ngsspr eadoutsoshecoul dget agoodvi ew. “ Your eal l yar eabeaut i f ull i t t l e mot h, ”shewhi sper edassheset hi m backi nt ot het r ap.

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Fort hef i r stt i me,Wool l ywast r ul ygr at ef ulf orhi sbr i ghtor ange col our s;t hatwaynobodycoul dseehow muchhewasbl ushi ng.

Whent hey’ dl ookedatever yone,Pr of essorPennyandWi l son car ef ul l ysett hem f r ee.Theyputt hem downi nl i t t l egr oups,i n shel t er edpl acesneart r eesandbushest okeept hem saf ef r om pr yi ngeyes,Pennyst i l lchat t er i ngawayast heydi dso.

Despi t eherbestef f or t s,Wool l y’ sadvent ur eswer en’ toverj ust yet .Onl ysecondsl at er ,heandhi sl i t t l egr oupf ound t hemsel vesf acet of acewi t ht wohugebl ackbi r ds!Theyf r ozei n f ear .How coul dt heyescape?Pr of essorPennyhadl ef tt hem, andi twast ool at et of l yawayort r yt ohi de.They’ dal r eady beenspot t ed.

Wool l yhadt ot hi nkf ast .Whatwasi tPr of essorPennyhadsai d?

I fheshowedt hem hi sbr i ghtcol our s,t hebi r dswoul dchoose nott oeathi m?

I twasabi gr i sk,butWool l ycoul dn’ tt hi nkofanyt hi ngel set o do.Besi des,f or gett hewool l ybear ,Pr of essorPennyhadsai dhe wasat i gernow -andt i ger swer en’ taf r ai dofanyt hi ng,r i ght ?

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Hesl owl yspr eadhi swi ngs,showi ngof fal lt hei rgl or i ous col our s.Theot hermot hscower edi nhi sshadow,t oof r i ght ened t of l yaway.Hehi dt hem underhi swi ngsandt heyal lhel dt hei r br eat h,ast hebi r dsedgedcl oserandcl oser .

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“ Lookatt hi s,hel ookst ast y, ”t weet edoneoft hem,t i ppi nghi s beakt owar dsWool l y.

Ohdear .Thi swasn’ tqui t et her eact i onhe’ dhopedf or .

J ustast hebi r dst eppedf or war dt osnapuppoorWool l y,i t s f r i endcr i edout ,“ Wai t ,don’ teatt hat ! ” Hoppi ngcl oser ,i tchi r ped,“ Iat eonej ustl i ket hatwhenIwas young,andi tmademer eal l ysi ck.I tt ast esawf ulanyway;t r ust me,i t ’ sbestt oavoi dt hoser edandor anget hi ngsatal lcost ! ” Thef i r stbi r dhesi t at ed,t henshooki t shead“ Toobad,i tl ooks soj ui cy.Let ’ sgoandf i ndsomet hi ngel set hen,I ’ m st ar vi ng! ” Ast hepai rt ookof f ,al lt hemot hssi ghedwi t hr el i ef .Whata nar r ow escape!Wool l ycoul dscar cel ybel i evei t–Pr of essorPenny hadbeenr i ght ,t het r i ckhadwor ked.I fhe’ dbeenar ealt i ger ,he’ d haver oar edi nt r i umph.Theot hermot hsf l ockedovert ot hank hi m.Now ever yonewant edt oadmi r ehi sspeci alwi ngs,wi t ht he powert odr i veawayevent hemostf er oci ousofpr edat or s.

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“ Thatwasf ant ast i c! ” “ Yousavedus! ”

Wool l ycoul df eelhi msel fbl ushi ngunderhi sor angescal esagai n. “ I t ’ snot hi ng;Idi dn’ tevenknow whatIwasdoi ng, ”hepr ot est ed.

Thesunwashi ghi nt heskybynow,andt hemot hshadt of i nd somewher et ohi deunt i lni ght t i me.Butast heyl ef t ,eachof t hem cal l edoutt ohi m,“ ThankyouWool l y!Seeyout oni ght ! ” Wool l yf oundhi msel fal i t t l epl antt oshel t erunder .Even t houghhewasoutoft hesun,awar mf eel i ngf l owedt hr ough hi m –atl asthe’ dmadef r i ends,j ustbybei nghi msel f .Toni ght , Wool l yt het i gerwoul dcomeoutt opl ayagai n.Wi t hsuch wonder f ulwi ngs,maybebei ngamot hwasn’ tsobadaf t eral l .

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TheSi xs potBurnet , Zygaenaf i l i pendul ae

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Af l uf f yl i t t l ecat er pi l l ari s aboutt oembar konanexci t i ng advent ur e-f ol l ow hi m ashe spr eadshi swi ngsf ort he f i r stt i meandf i ndshi sway i nt hi sbeaut i f ulbut danger ousnew wor l d. . .