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Bug Buddies: A Short Story |
by Kate Simmons >> more about the author
Leland the Lacewing flew toward the light bulb near the front door of the Miller family’s house. He dodged several moths on his path toward the light, then met up with his friends Morris and Miranda.
“Hi, Leland,” said Miranda Moth as she circled the outdoor bulb.
“Hi, Miranda. Hi, Morris,” Leland answered, laughing as he gave Morris a high-five with one of his six legs.
Soon, Leland was eager to fly from the wall where he was perched with his friends; another light had appeared as Mr. Miller opened his front door, and Leland wanted to check it out. He flew toward it, but he collided with wire mesh.
“The screen door is still closed, Leland,” said Miranda.
“No problem,” he answered as he flew through a small hole in the screen.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you!” Morris shouted.
Leland quickly understood Morris’ warning. Once through the hole, he found himself in a whole new world—inside the Millers’ house! He tried to fly back out, but he was too shaken up to find the small hole where he’d first entered.
“Did you see that?” Mr. Miller asked.
“There’s a bug in here!” Travis Miller yelled. “I don’t like things flying around my head—I’m going to swat it!”
Sensing danger, Leland flew onto the ceiling so he’d be out of reach of the magazine’s swipes.
“Don’t swat the bug, Son” said Mr. Miller.
“But he’s bugging me!” Travis answered.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” Mr. Miller said. “I think it’s a lacewing. They’re our friends. They're good for our garden—they eat the aphids that eat our plants!”
“Plus, he probably doesn’t want to be in here any more than we want him to,” said Mrs. Miller. “His home is outside like our home is inside. How would you feel if you were trapped out there and couldn’t get back in here?”
“Maybe we could guide him back toward the door,” said Mr. Miller, who then turned off their living room lights so the outdoor bulb shone even brighter. “I think the bug was attracted to the light in here.”
Leland began to fly toward the outside light, which had once again caught his eye while the Millers were talking.
“Open the door, Travis,” said Mrs. Miller. Travis quickly propped the door open just as Leland was heading in his direction, but the night air made Travis sneeze, which sent a breezy gust in Leland’s direction. Startled, Leland flew to the closest surface, a small table near the door.
“I have an idea!” Travis said. He went into the kitchen and returned momentarily with an empty plastic jar. He knew just what to do next! As he gently lowered the container, Leland sensed something closing in and began to flutter his wings. When he flew to the top of the upside-down jar, Travis capped it with the lid. Leland energetically flew around his temporary new home.
“Wow—he’s as bright as the grass in the sunlight!” Travis proclaimed as he observed Leland.
“Look at those shiny golden eyes,” said Mrs. Miller.
“And the green veins in his see-through wings,” added Mr. Miller. “Let’s get him back outside where he belongs!”
Travis carried the jar outdoors. When the screen door shut behind him, he carefully uncapped the container, and Leland flew out into the night! Morris and Miranda, who’d been watching from the other side of the screen, were quite impressed with Leland’s swift flying.
“I got trapped in there once,” said Miranda. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared.”
“It wasn’t too bad,” said Leland, who’d made up his mind to be brave. “Besides, they even helped me get back out here.”
“Is it true that you help their garden by eating the aphids?” Morris asked.
“I sure do,” answered Leland. “And my babies can really gobble up those aphids—sometimes two hundred each week from the Millers’ garden!”
“Wow,” said Miranda. “You help them out, and they helped you out!”
As the moon rose higher in the sky, Leland, Miranda, and Morris continued their evening fluttering, grateful to be outside and joyful that the family inside realized the insects were there to help, not to bug!