Written for Crispina’s Creative Challenge.
I’ve selected two photos for my story.
Here’s where the images took me.
Every morning, Pip the piglet froze at the fence. Not because of the electric wire …. because of the butterflies.
“It’s irrational,” his sister Peg said, already rooting cheerfully in the mud. “You’re five times its size.”
But there it was again: a gorgeous Comma butterfly, wings spread wide on the fallen leaves, orange and black like tiny stained glass. Magnificent. Terrifying.
Pip squealed. The chicken on the fence post didn’t even flinch.
“Even Henrietta thinks you’re being silly,” Peg observed.
Pip stared at the butterfly. The butterfly …. presumably …. stared back.
It has no teeth, Pip reasoned. No hooves. No snout.
He took one small step forward. Then another.
The butterfly drifted away on the breeze.
Pip let out a loud squeal, took off, and hid behind the trough.
“Oh, good grief!” declared Peg, and went back to digging.
NAR©2026
Nancy’s Notes: After a severe decline in the twentieth century, the Comma butterfly has made a remarkable comeback. It is now widespread in southern England and its range is expanding northwards.
This is “Piggies” by The Beatles
Everything seen here was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 