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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A Dream of Wings&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Marcel Vasquez&nbsp; For Lyla and Levi &nbsp;1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There was once a caterpillar named Josh, blue with green spots, and two black stripes running from head to tail down his back. Anyone who saw the stripes thought that Josh must be fast, but in fact, he could only inch along and getting far was very hard.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Still, Josh happily shuffled on, trying to keep up with the other bugs, even when he stumbled or got stuck. As if nothing could ever slow him down.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When the other, more capable bugs asked why he even tried, Josh replied, “Because one day guys, I’m going to fly.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Of course, everyone had a good chuckle at this, a few even chimed in, “How will you fly when you can barely inch along?”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Josh knew in his heart they were wrong, and said before leaving, “With proper belief, we can achieve anything.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For a moment they were quiet, then all laughed again. It seemed poor Josh didn’t have a single friend.&nbsp;&nbsp; 2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Josh was determined to fly, even though it was scary to try. He’d watch the birds and insects too, telling himself, “That will be me someday soon.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But flying is hard, especially without wings, and Josh had no idea where to get a hold of those things! Still, he reminded himself daily, “I have only to believe.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yet, a month went by with no luck and it seemed Josh was hopelessly stuck. He even considered giving up, until he met a most peculiar bug.&nbsp; 3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;One day during lunch, Josh found some fragrant leaves on which to munch, and was enjoying himself very much, when suddenly the end of his meal ruffled and blinked.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Whoa!” Josh screamed. “I thought you were a leaf.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A bug stretched out tall and long, “Dear boy, you’ve got it all wrong. Those aren’t leaves, they’re my arms!”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Cool! Are you part tree?”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shocked, the leafy one replied, “No. I am all bug, and am called Doug. Now, what might you be?”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Oh… Well, I’m a caterpillar, I think.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The leafy bug leaned low, “Think? How could you not know?”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“I did, until a month ago.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“What changed your mind?”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“All of a sudden I got an urge to fly!” Josh professed, standing on his hind legs and flapping his hands.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Ah,” Doug said regally. “If that’s all you want, I believe it can be done.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“So did I… Then I tried and tried but found I couldn’t fly. And my friends—when I told them—only laughed. I’m sure some of them now think me mad.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;His voice grew quiet, and Doug knew Josh had gotten sad. So, he patted Josh’s back and said, “You mustn’t worry about what others think. Most of us are scared of what we haven’t seen, and just too afraid to dream… If you really want to fly, don’t give up on your beliefs.” “But I don’t know where to start.” “Well, most things that fly take the wind as it comes.”&nbsp; Josh suddenly worried about being alone, “What if I fly too far from home?” “Something I’ve learned whilst growing old, is that the world is large and we may not get to see it all. But what matters most is those we love, because home can be wherever they are.” “What if I don’t know my parents, sir? I came from an egg you see and had no one to take care of me.” “There’s more than one type of family, and as you grow you’ll get to choose all the people who are right for you.” Josh’s eyes filled with hope, “Anywhere I go?” “I do believe so.” “What about my old friends?” Doug looked out across the park, “Those we love will come along, or go off on their own. But we can keep their memories inside, to help us through the harder parts of life.” Josh thought about what Doug said, then shook his hand. “Thank you sir, for the advice.” “My pleasure, come back anytime.” &nbsp;4&nbsp; Josh soon returned and learned more about his leafy friend. Together they visited the flower patch to watch the frantic bees, buzzing by with wings almost too fast to see! Josh copied their moves and flapped his arms so quick that he fell off his stoop. Doug couldn’t help but laugh while helping Josh stand, saying, “Well that’s a start, young man.” Then encouraged him to try again. And Josh did as he was told, for Doug was wise and old. So Josh ate his veggies to grow strong and practiced flying nearly all day long. Holding onto his dream the whole while, even when he felt too tired to crack a smile, or dealt with all the mean bugs that said it couldn’t be done. But no matter how hard he worked, Josh wasn’t any closer to actually flying, and started to wonder why he bothered trying? Since no one else believed, it felt silly to have a dream.&nbsp; 5&nbsp; One day, Josh was all tired out by the time he reached the Doug’s house and had to stop to catch his breath.&nbsp; “What’s wrong?” Doug asked. “I don’t know,” Josh yawned, “I’ve been extra sleepy all week long.” “It sounds like you’ll have to hibernate.” “Hibernate?” Josh tried out the word. Then Doug explained, “It’s what all caterpillars do, when they take a long nap in their cocoons.” “Well I should find one soon.” “Oh dear, I suppose you never learned. But you’ll have to build one all your own.” “But I don’t know how,” Josh worried aloud. “Not to worry, I will help.” They worked on it all afternoon, finishing just as they spotted the moon, then stood back and admired it in the gloom.&nbsp; “What do I do now?” Josh asked with a mighty yawn, barely able to move along. “Now you just climb up.” “But where will you go?” “I’ll be right over here of course, just inside my home. It’s not far, so you don’t have to worry about being alone.” Josh had never been inside a cocoon, and felt a bit of fear, but still climbed in knowing Doug was near.&nbsp; “It’ll be alright. Good night little caterpillar and sleep tight.” Josh quickly fell asleep, and was soon in the wonderful land of dreams, where he flew toward a rainbow on beautiful, new wings. Then found all the magic of the world, there in a place beyond the clouds.&nbsp; &nbsp;6&nbsp; For days he slept and dreamt and grew, till he burst out of that cocoon with a boom! Only to realize with a jolt of surprise that he was really, truly flying! Doug ran and called out, “Look at you go!” Up and up Josh soared, ready to conquer all the world. But turned first to the leafy bug, who had taught him so much, “Goodbye and thank you, Doug!” And Doug shouted again, “Goodbye old friend.” A warm joy entered Josh’s heart as he looked back one more time, then fluttered off unto the sky.&nbsp; 7&nbsp; Soon, like Doug had said, Josh made a different home with great new friends. Then, before summer came to an end, he met another butterfly and got married. A short time later, they had babies. Although his journey had been hard, Josh’s life was now filled with love, and he had become the world’s happiest bug. And reminded his kids each night as he tucked them in, “No matter how hard life seems, even when you feel good things will never be, you mustn’t give up or fail to believe, that you can dream and achieve anything.”

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A Dream of Wings

MaskedWriter

Marcel Vasquez

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Marcel Vasquez

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