Butterfly Catcher
by Sharmagne Leland-St.John


Mother:
What'cha doin'?

Child:
I'm tryin'a catch a butterfly.

Mother:
What for?

Child:
Because.

Mother:
Because why?

Child:
Because I want to.

Mother:
But if you touch their wings it isn't good for them.  They could die.

Child:
Why?

Mother:
Because they have this dust on their wings and if it rubs off they can't fly.

Child:
Well, we could put some baby powder on them.

Mother:
No, that's not a good idea. Baby powder has scent in it.

Child:
Well , then they would smell good.

Mother:
No, they would probably smother.

Child:
What if I use a net?

Mother:
Why do you want to catch one at all?


Child:
Because I want to hold it.

Mother:
They don't like to be held.

Child:
I want to learn how to fly.

Mother:
People can't fly.

Child:
Icarus could.

Mother:
Well, that's different.

Child:
How?

Mother:
He and his father made wings from wax and string and feathers. But remember
he flew too close to the sun and the wax melted and he plummeted to the earth
and drowned in the sea.

Child:
Did his daddy cry?

Mother:
I'm sure he did.

Child:
Would you cry if I died?

Mother:
A river. 

Child:
Will you die?

Mother:
Yes, someday, but my love will go on forever.

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