Cocoon

With eyes full of wonder the little boy watched. First he saw the head emerge, followed by one leg, then another. Finally two enormous wings burst forth, delicate sheets of crimson and amber that fluttered in the early morning sunlight before lifting the butterfly high in the air where it left its open cocoon behind. A smiling face shone brighter than the rising sun as the little boy watched from his bedroom window while the beautiful creature flew away.


He ran from his house to follow its flight, down a trail that led into the woods, but the boy was soon distracted by a beautiful rose he saw growing just beside the path. Its petals gleamed and called him near with red lips softened by the morning's dewy kiss. An aroma that by any other name would smell as sweet drew him closer, but as the child bent down to enjoy its soothing allure his finger pricked one of the flower's many thorns, spilling blood onto the ground far more brilliant in color than even the brightest petal. The little boy recoiled, confused by beauty's betrayal, before slowly stepping away and continuing down the path which led deeper into the forest.


Somewhere in the distance he saw a large dog playing in a clearing between the trees. The animal rolled around in the grassy field, chasing bumblebees and grasshoppers while its wagging tail scattered dandelions to the wind. The boy whistled loudly, capturing the dog's attention as it ran towards its approaching guest with eager determination. As the dog neared, the little boy bent down and lowered his hand to pet the animal's head, but no sooner had his outstretched arm welcomed his new friend than the dog began to growl. Low and rumbling, the growl accompanied snarled lips that revealed teeth which promptly lunged for the child, biting him on the hand so that blood poured from the puncture wounds. The boy fell to the ground, crying and confused, uncertain why the dog attacked or if the assault would continue, when the animal suddenly ran back into the woods and disappeared within its shadows.


The little boy sat in puddles of tears mixed with blood for a long while before finally getting up to continue down the path. Just ahead he saw a man selling ice cream cones. Feeling hot and tired from the long walk, the boy bought a single chocolate cone but when he started to walk away he heard the man say, "What about one for your friend there?" As the little boy turned around, he saw the most beautiful sight that ever his eyes beheld. A little girl with hair the color of night and a smile that set his heart fluttering stood behind him. He could not breathe, he could not speak, so beautiful was the little girl who had already captured his heart. With his last coin, the boy bought another ice cream cone and gave it to the girl who smiled without saying a word. He began to ask for her name when suddenly he was pushed from behind, falling to the ground where he looked up to see a boy much larger than himself looking down upon him. The other boy snatched the ice cream cone from his hand and kicked dirt in his face. Ashamed and hurting, the little boy looked into the little girls face, but where once there had been a pleasant smile, now there was only mockery. Laughing, laughing as she took hold of the other boy's hand and walked away.


From over the horizon storm clouds drew near and it began to rain. The raindrops muddied the trail that led the little boy home and when he finally arrived he went straight to bed without drying off. He curled up beneath the blankets, letting them wrap his battered body completely so that his face disappeared into darkness and retreated from the world.


On the sill outside of his bedroom window, raindrops beat against the glass and washed away the remnants of an open cocoon.