Sunday inspiration

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The Crane and The Butterfly

In Fiji cranes may often be seen walking on their long then legs on the

sandy beaches of the outer islets of the Lau archipelago, which is the

part of Fiji nearest to Tonga.

One day a brightly colored butterfly was flitting about in the hot

sunshine near a sandy beach, when it saw a tall white crane stalking

proudly along the shore.

" I can fly better than you can, " the butterfly said proudly.

" Ah! - but I could fly much further than you, " replied the crane.

" How far could you fly? " asked the butterfly.

" Well, I could fly all the way to Tonga! " boasted the crane.

" But Tonga is 400 miles away! "

" Perhaps it would be too far for you, little butterfly, " the crane

sneered.

The butterfly was offended.

" I'll show you, " she said. " We will have a race and see who can get to

Tonga first. "

" Don't be so ridiculous, " said the crane, " you could not possibly fly

four hundred miles. "

" Oh yes I could. I'm starting now and if you don't hurry you'll be left

behind. "

It was a lovely day. The sun shone brightly and the sea sparkled in the

sunshine. The butterfly and the crane flew up and out over the lagoon.

As they did so, the butterfly fluttered above the crane and alighted

softly on his back.

The crane flew on with steadily beating wings. Every now and again he

looked back to see if the butterfly was in sight, and felt quite pleased

he could not see her.

Hour after hour went by. The crane grew tired, but there was no where

for him to alight, so he struggled on, until at last he saw land ahead.

" Poor butterfly! " he thought to himself. " Perhaps she has becoming tired

and is struggling in the sea! "

The reefs passed slowly beneath him. But just before he reached the

shore he saw something fluttering a few yards ahead of him and come to

rest on the sand. It was the butterfly - who had reached Tonga before

him.

(From Myths and Legends of Fiji by A.W. and Inez Hames)