This is a story that was made up by T.Q. Townsend for one of her children, following the structural principles for a bedtime story laid out in episode 52.
The Butterfly Story
by T.Q. Townsend
Once upon a time, Phoebe went out into the garden with her basket – skippy, skippy, skip! As she reached the flowerbed, she saw a family of butterflies.
“Whatcha doin’, Phoebe?” asked the butterflies.
Phoebe answered, “I’m picking flowers to bring to my daddy. It’s his birthday!”
“Wow!” Said the butterflies. “Can we help?”
“You bet!” said Phoebe.
Daddy Butterfly came forward and said, “follow me, Phoebe!” He went flutter, flutter, flutter, flutter, flutter, and Phoebe followed him – skippy, skippy, skip. Daddy Butterfly landed on a red flower and said “try this one, Phoebe! It’s lovely.”
Phoebe smelled the red flower – ahhh – and said “it is lovely!” She picked it and put it in her basket.
Mama Butterfly came forward and said, “follow me, Phoebe!” She went flutter, flutter, flutter, flutter, flutter, and Phoebe followed her – skippy, skippy, skip. Mama Butterfly landed on a white flower and said “try this one, Phoebe! It’s splendid.”
Phoebe smelled the white flower – ahhh – and said “it is splendid!” She picked it and put it in her basket.
Sister Butterfly came forward and said, “follow me, Phoebe!” She went flutter, flutter, flutter, flutter, flutter, and Phoebe followed her – skippy, skippy, skip. Sister Butterfly landed on a yellow flower and said “try this one, Phoebe! It’s fragrant.”
Phoebe smelled the yellow flower – ahhh – and said “it is fragrant!” She picked it and put it in her basket.
Brother Butterfly came forward and said, “follow me, Phoebe!” He went flutter, flutter, flutter, flutter, flutter, and Phoebe followed him – skippy, skippy, skip. Brother Butterfly landed on a purple flower and said “try this one, Phoebe! It’s beautiful.”
Phoebe smelled the purple flower – ahhh – and said “it is beautiful!” She picked it and put it in her basket.
Baby Butterfly came forward and said, “follow me, Phoebe!” He went flutter, flutter, flutter, flutter, flutter, and Phoebe followed him – skippy, skippy, skip. But her skips were smaller because Baby Butterfly’s wings were so tiny and he couldn’t fly very far. Baby Butterfly landed on an orange flower and said “try this one, Phoebe! It’s the best flower in the whole wide world.”
Phoebe smelled the orange flower – ahhh – and said “it is the best flower in the whole wide world!” She picked it and put it in her basket.
Phoebe showed the flowers to the butterflies, and they said “That is a good basket of flowers!” Phoebe went back to the house – skippy, skippy, skip. She gave the flowers to her daddy and said “Happy Birthday, Daddy!”
Phoebe’s daddy said, “Oh, thank you Phoebe! These flowers are wonderful!” And he gave her a big hug. And then they had cake.
The End.