The Story of Molly the Moth

Molly the Moth lived in a beautiful Irish forest that surrounded an equally beautiful village comprised of colorful little houses with gardens abounding in flowers.

Molly was pretty happy with her moth life. During the day she would stay hidden in the thick leaves of the trees, protected from the harsh sun, while during the night she would go out and explore, enjoying everything the forest had to offer.

Molly would find sap to feed on, she would fly around looking for a flower slow to close so she can sip on its nectar, she would hang about with the owls listening to their wise tales.

Life was good for Molly the Moth and, she had no desires or expectations other than that it should continue as it was.

But destiny loves to play a wild card when things seem too tranquil and this is what it did to Molly.

One night, when Molly was lazily floating on a warm breeze, she drifted towards a cottage located at the outskirts of the forest. Molly landed safely on the windowsill of an open window. Curious, as most moths are, Molly looked inside fascinated by a world she had never known.

There, in the shadows, Molly was stunned to see something shining bright, a most beautiful light, the kind of which she had never seen before. Molly shyly flew closer and was surprised to see that the light was not hot, it was not burning her, she could be really close and still be ok.

Molly was shocked that something like it could exist, as far as she had experienced all light was harmful, burning her wings and hurting her eyes. Molly managed to break away from the light and find her way back to the forest.

The following days and nights, Molly found that all her thoughts went back to the very bright light, and all she wanted was to fly to the little house on the outskirts of the forest and be as close as possible to the fascinating light.

Molly was only able to spot the light from a distance, and, as the saying goes about absence making the heart grow fonder, Molly became consumed with thoughts about the beautiful light.

Unable to relax, Molly started to watch the butterflies flying around during the day, sparkling with color and sunshine. They could go to the little cottage where the light lived at all times of the day and Molly became determined to do the same.

Although Molly had nicely patterned wings, her colors were nowhere close to the ones the butterflies had, so, to mingle, she had to put on some additional colors.

With the help of a very wise Owl that knew all the tricks of all trades (owls are like that), Molly the moth was able to convert her looks into those of a butterfly.

The first time she flew out in the daylight Molly was extremely nervous as she was sure her awkwardness would give her away, but, to her surprise, while flying among the flowers and between the butterflies, Molly found out that butterflies do mind each other. They all flew seemingly in a group, but actually they were all just minding their own business oblivious of what the others were doing.

‘What a wonderful thing!’, Molly said to herself while flying among the beautiful butterflies.

They did not care she was there, and it was wonderful for Molly to be free among them. Although she was sure that, if she would fully unveil her moth being they would not be so relaxed, as there is something as too much difference, even in the butterfly world.

Happy, Molly flew to the little cottage on the outskirts of the woods in search of the light that had caught her imagination. But the light was no where to be found.

Molly was stunned and, as if paralyzed, she could not move from the windowsill where she had landed.

After a long wait, when the night had finally come, Molly was shocked to see that her light was turned on. Now, Molly did not know much about how electricity works, so she was stunned when after a long night, in the morning the light went out again.

Tired and confused, Molly flew back to her place in the woods, where she hid for a few good days recovering from all the excitement and the disappointment.

When she felt better Molly the moth, consulted the wisest of the Owls in the forest. The Owl did not have much to say, he just looked deeply into Molly’s eyes forcing her to look into herself also.

The dream of the light was gone, but Molly had experienced the life of a butterfly, and that was no mean feat for a moth such as herself, so, Molly drew the line, and decided that actually the experience had brought her more than it had taken from her.

Now, from time to time, when the fancy took her, Molly would put on the butterfly make up and go flying around in their very colorful world.

Sometimes, she would also watch the cold light being turned on in the little cottage still not understanding the way electricity worked, maybe one day a good willing owl would take the time to explain that to her.

Till then Molly the Moth just lived the way she could, which was the best way.