Cecilia’s Service Journey
Cecilia was a bright and wonderful young monarch butterfly. She spread her positivity as quickly as she fluttered her wings, traveling from flower to flower. She bounced from goldenrod to aster, to wild carrot, and up the blossomed apple trees. The pollen tickled as she carried along the forest edge, causing her to laugh as she went. And it wasn’t just fun—she felt important, too. Her service helped make food for all the other animals. The animals of the forest were kind to Cecilia, and she was kind to them.
On a crisp September morning, Cecilia went about her usual routine. The jewelweed had started to fall to the ground, but there were still plenty of pretty flowers to pollinate. Suddenly, she heard a deep thumping noise echoing off the trees. Jack! The strong and respected cottontail had called a meeting. She quickly flapped to the large red oak, where the other forest animals had circled. “Gather, gather” said Jack in his deep voice. “It appears fall is once again coming, which means it's time to prepare for winter! Mammals, you must hibernate. Birds, you must fly south. Frogs, you must bury yourselves in the mud.” The animals nodded solemnly, taking in each precise detail. “But what am I to do?” interrupted Cecilia. “I’m sorry, Cecilia, you must fly off to far lands of warmth,” Jack replied plainly. Cecilia’s heart sank. She did not want to leave. This was her home, she mattered here. She wouldn’t leave—and off to her friend Percy the Peeper she went.
Cecilia explained the situation to Percy on the bark of a gnarled hemlock. “I can’t leave, I’m needed here, this is my home.” “Needed, there is no need here. No flowers, no green. No need,” squawked Copper the Crow, who chimed in as he eavesdropped on the conversation. “Don’t listen to him, of course we want you here” replied Percy loudly. “Besides, I heard there was a place that was warm all winter long…” Percy whispered. “Really?” That’d be amazing, said Cecilia. “Of course! Follow me!” he said, and down the hemlock they went, along the meadow to Farmer Brown’s pond. The sweet autumn breeze glided them through the land.
“Across this pond, there is an old cave, and it’s warm all winter long,” said Percy. Hopping in, Percy swam through the water with Cecilia by his side. Out of nowhere, the mean old snapper Leroy popped up. “Get out of my pond! You’re disturbing my sleep!” he growled, slapping his large old tail at the two travelers. “Quick, hop on my back!” yelled Percy as he started bounding amongst lily pads. “That was a close one” said Cecilia, as they began their final leaps to the far shore.
Arriving on the other side, the two friends ventured into the large white pine forest. Not many plants grew here, and hidden behind the large trunks was a dark and mysterious entrance. Cautiously entering the cave, they descended into the surrounding darkness. A deep shiver ran down their backs, and they realized it wasn’t only because of the dark. “It’s freezing down here,” cried Cecilia. “I’ll never survive” she whimpered, tears rolling down her face. “I don’t wanna leave, I am important here!” Her voice echoed down the dark chasm. “Oh quit your crying," replied a voice deep from the cave. Out emerged Amelia, a smart and wise striped skunk who had seen many winters. “Listen here girl. You are your home. You are your community. If you think you do something good, bring that good somewhere new. Think of all the new smiles you can make. Compassion is home, and home is your community. You already have those, and that is what matters” said Amelia, gently wiping the tears with her bushy tail. Cecilia nodded, accepting that she would have to make a change.
As Cecilia and Percy started back across the pond, they approached Leroy’s sleeping rock. “Quick, let’s just sneak around it” whispered Percy. “No!” said Cecilia, thinking about what Amelia had told her. Instead, Cecilia used her strength and knowledge to pluck off a large white Lily flower, pushing it over to Leroy’s rock. “Here Leroy, use this flower as a pillow to help you sleep.” Leroy reached out and grabbed the flower, allowing a smirk to creep over his face. “Thank you Cecilia, I’m going to miss you” he said, sliding the lily under his scaly chin.
When Cecilia got back to the forest, she told all the other animals what she had learned. It didn’t change the fact that she would miss them, and that they would miss her. Even Copper felt sad, telling Cecilia he would watch over her milkweed plants until she returned next spring. Fluttering up to the clouds, Cecilia wondered where she would go next. A whole world of friends, flowers, and journeys awaited. Her light wings carried the load of compassion, kindness, and service with her. Like clouds, she spread it across the land and onto the smiling fields of wildflowers.
Kevin has spent a portion of his LRCC term teaching various age groups about environmental topics as an Education and Outreach Assistant. His favorite part of service has been sharing his passion for nature with young people through camp, school, and library programs. This story carries themes of community service and kindness through a different lens. Learn more about him here.