It was the middle of September. In less than a week, summer would perish. Fall could begin its reign. That is, if everyone followed Nature’s clock. But, many humans don’t.

Schools began in early August, much to the chagrin of students who savored the last days of summer.

Labor Day offered workers a brief but insufficient respite, hardly an escape from the relentless demands of their careers. The holiday even became a mere shopping occasion for many.

Meanwhile, those eager for Halloween set out decorative skeletons and pumpkins- in hopes of hastening fall’s arrival.

In nature, everything took its time. Migratory birds charted courses to warm temperatures for the winter. Hummingbirds drank from every glass feeder. Squirrels gathered fallen nuts and bird seeds.

Around fields of fall wildflowers, butterflies swarmed the blooms.

They drank nourishment provided, then mingled. Swallowtails and Great Spangled Fritillaries greeted each other.

The most admired butterflies were Monarchs. Their orange and black wings filled the air like gentle snow. Others floated, watched, and stared at their beauty.

Now, Monarchs loved many flowers, but milkweed was their favorite. Its strong fragrance drew them in for nectar. Females also laid their eggs on these plants. These turned into caterpillars that ate the leaves. Then, it was time for a change.

One egg-layer, Millie, settled on a plant to accomplish that task. She shivered in the breeze, anxious to finish her task.

As she laid an egg, she whispered a prayer told across generations:

To sun, moon

grass, water

Sweet Mother Earth

Please do not falter

To protect at least one

Of my future progeny.

Let my babies taste, touch, fly,

Hear, smell, and see

Everything in this world

Until their existence is done.

Let them soar

Under moon and sun.

Relieved, Millie finished her work, and flew to warmer climates. Left behind was a minuscule egg attached to that plant.

After a week had passed, the object grew bigger.

Soon, a head emerged, consumed its shell, and became a black, yellow, and white caterpillar.

Almost immediately, the elongated creature began devouring the leaves with relish, unaware of the falling foliage from tall trees surrounding the meadow.

Soon, the caterpillar grew big enough and knew it was time to form a green chrysalis to sleep in. She spun silk, stronger than it looked, making a firm cover around herself. Eager in anticipation, she hung upside down and slept.

Her dreams filled with sounds all around her.

They regaled tales of glory, tragedy, and of what she needed to know.

These voices finished with this verse:

Be careful, young ruler,

For this world is vast.

Unfortunately,

Your life will not last.

Infinitely, as everyone dies

So must you, too.

But until then,

There is much for you

To experience and behold.

Let your body lift you up

As the adventure unfolds.

Now, break out of your cocoon.

Look towards the sky.

For it is destiny.

Nellie, you are a butterfly!

Crack! The chrysalis opened to reveal a new Monarch, named Nellie.

Her proboscis probed the air in eager curiosity. She gazed towards the blue sky, amazed at the golden orb above.

She flapped her recognizable wings and departed into the unknown.

Author’s Note: To help Monarch butterflies, plant native milkweed. Avoid tropical kinds, which can spread diseases.

Editor: Lucy Cafiero