From The Doolittle Chronicles
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Vespertine was a ladybug who desperately wanted to be noticed.
She wore high black stiletto heels most of the time, as an attempt to make herself appear somewhat taller and perhaps more authorative when she walked. Slim and petite as most ladybugs are, she knew she was also a source of good fortune to those around her.
Unfortunately, to be of any luck to those who truly needed it, she had to find them first.
Vespertine had no sense of direction. She couldn't find her way out of a paper bag. Her habit of getting lost was legendary among the animals of the Kingdom of Doolittle, and it seemed to get worse every time she ventured out.
How many times in a day DO you turn around, Vespertine? they would ask not unkindly.
The little ladybug would just smile and batt her little ladybug eyelashes. She was not against laughing at herself, for what she lacked in stature and navigational skills, she abounded with in that of humility.
Although directionally challenged, Vespertine didn't let that flaw stop her from travelling to the outskirts of the kingdom and beyond. She was an adventurer at heart and an explorer by nature.
Vespertine knew it was her destiny to become famous someday. But how did one achieve fame when they stood only several millimeters tall?
Running in her high heels as fast as her little ladybug legs could carry her, she often became so consumed by the task at hand she forgot that she could arrive at her destination so much sooner if she would just remember to fly! A simple fact was that she would sometimes run so fast, she would fall down, skinning her knees and ripping her pantyhose. It was only then she would remember to spread her silvery wings and flutter off to where she needed to be.
It was sometime the simplicity of things that were the hardest for her to see.
She was scurrying down the lakeshore one afternoon when she came upon Boyette, sitting among the rocks. She was shaking her head slowly back and forth, her gaze towards the path worn in the sand by Turtle Dave.
Vespertine landed on the small shale beside Boyette and crossed her dainty ladybug legs.
What is it? she asked quizzically, also looking towards the indentation of the sand.
Tsk, tsk she murmured. That dumb turtle, she said absentmindedly. She had not noticed Vespertine.
Why doesn't he ask Romaine to be his true love, everyone knows how crazy they are about each other! and she slowly got up on her thick bunny legs to hop away.
Romaine? Said Vespertine. He still hasn't said anything to Romaine? How could that be?
I don't know, she said simply, now seeing the pretty bug for the first time. She began to hop away slowly, but then stopped in mid air, turning her head back around to face her.
Somebody should go put a bug in his ear, and with that she turned around again, hopping into the tall grass along the side of the shoreline.
Vespertine smiled.
To be continued....................
