The Summer Secret

by Colleen Battistoni (copyrighted material)

Inspired by my artwork the Summer Secret

The Summer Secret

September still graced the countryside with blissful summer evenings. Cool breezes and starry nights cooled nature’s inhabitants among the fields of corn, pumpkins, and wildflowers. Crows flew overhead; their favorite season autumn sweetly kissed the air and presented a swift approach of times to come. Children in the nearby farmhouse dreamed of All Hallows Eve, celebrations of dressing up and lovely sugary treats under a full Harvest Moon.

An old forgotten window lay propped up among the wild Yarrow flowers, creating a haven for night creatures during the warm days. Mrs. Raccoon lit candles on the sill for her small family to enjoy their midnight dinner of newfound summer blackberries and peaches from the farmhouse garden. A dear friend, Mrs. Owl, swept through the air, almost glowing in the bright moonlight. She brought news of the nearby forest, of Mrs. Raccoon’s brothers and sisters, of the farm family children’s adventures of imaginary worlds amid the leafy floor and towering evergreens. For, it is well known that owls are wise and ever watching, patient sentinels of wild places.

Being so old and wise, Mrs. Owl always had the most interesting stories, and vast knowledge of the wide, wondrous world. This night was made even more special, for she had a most amazing old story for the family of ever-curious raccoons. Mrs. Raccoon arranged her collection of river rocks around her tree-stump table and in the light of the candles, sat her children down and Mrs. Owl, perched atop the window-house, began her tale…

“My dear family, this night brings to mind an old mystery, told to me by my Grandmother. It is truth that has been passed down through many generations of my family, even back to ancient times when dragons still ruled the skies and unicorns traveled through my woods. They were incredible days of old, so much more free and untamed.

The story is so old, there is no history of when it began, but it travels through time to this day. My hope is that you may tell it as well, to your children and your children’s children, for it is full of magic and mystery…

There was an owl family, living in the giant Oak you see by the river behind the farmhouse. One of the older youngsters from the nest was ever-so in wonder of his surroundings, even more so than your average young owl. His name was Edward and he was fast approaching the day when he would fly out on his own in search of a life all for himself. On a night much like this night, he would witness a most incredible thing that would begin his personal search for wisdom.

You may not be aware that this here window you use as a warm and cozy shelter was once part of a grand estate owned by a wealthy family. They ruled over this countryside, miles and miles of these lands. Things here looked much the same, with vast gardens and thick, lush fields of green.

Edward loved to fly over swiftly to perch atop the house rooftop, and just watch, listen, and witness the night come to life. He would see raccoons, just like your selves, cautiously wander into the gardens and find scrumptious delicacies to fill their hungry bellies. He would see possums jump down from the trees and search for fat beetles and left-behind crumbs. The horses in the barn would happily snort in their slumbers, and the farm-cats would awaken and look for mice among the wheat. These things were all expected, but this night was special, for young Edward was in store for a fantastic surprise.

He was always amazed by two groups of flying creatures that lit up the night air, much like the stars you see above. These were the Fireflies, and the Lunar Moths. They are not seen as much around these parts anymore, but perhaps we can just imagine they are out there, circling us this very minute. The Fireflies were as bright as the flame of these candles, and the Lunar Moths were so lightly green, that they sparkled in the blackness. Edward was always enchanted by how the moths could shine the way they did, for they didn’t contain light like the fireflies, but glistened and shone like dew upon an emerald green leaf in sunlight.

Moments of quiet passed, and then the great summer secret happened right before his eyes. The peaceful sound of crickets was causing Edward to doze off but he was startled by a high-pitched buzzing. Down below, in this very field we now rest, he curiously watched the fireflies gather together in a round cluster, which appeared as bright and circular as the light on the farmhouse porch.

The brightness occurred quite slowly, growing brighter and brighter each second. Then there was a sudden flash of white dust and spark, likened to the humans strange “fire-works” we see in the sky each mid-summer. Then… suddenly Lunar Moths came to life from the sparks. Edward soon came to the realization that this was the way the moths were born. Lunar Moths were actually magical creatures! Later that evening he saw fairies riding upon their delicate backs and flowers open upon their landing among them.

As dawn welcomed the sun, the Lunar Moths disappeared, and Edward, sleepy but in total fascination, flew back home. He told of his adventure, the family’s newborn chicks nestled around him; his parents listened closely – as all wise creatures must do. Edward looked for another encounter each night but didn’t see it again until the following year, the same day as the year before, in late September. Each year, he would take his own family to enjoy the great magical performance.”

As Mrs. Owl finished her story, the Raccoon family sat in wonder. The children then asked “Is it true, is it true Mrs. Owl?”

“Oh yes my children, it is so very true. In fact, I think it is about to happen outside this very window any moment now.”

The children jumped up from their seats and excitedly raced to the window, and out among the Yarrow, there it happened… the fireflies, the cluster of light, the fire-works, and the Summer Secret – Birth of the Lunar Moths.

The End

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Tags:

animals, autumn, creatures, fable, fairytale, fall, fantasy, fireflies, fwcaug09, halloween, harvest, lunar, moon, moth, moths, myth, owl, raccoon, story, summer and tale