Bubbles and Lost Dreams
Read by Rachel Lynn Anderice
Written by Karen Backway
Chapter 1 - Butterflies and Bubbles
<<PING>> rang the bicycle bell from high in an old oak tree near the centre of the forest, where a bicycle basket sits just to the left of the main trunk. It's an odd spot for a bicycle basket.
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Abby just loved pinging the bicycle bell, it had such a lovely ping-ring. <<PING>> It’s a beautiful morning-up.
That bicycle bell ping starts the day with a ripple of joy that spreads through the entire forest. These hot summer days, Abby, a tiny orange tabby cat, wandered the forest and meadow drawing flowers with a magic multi-colored crayon she kept tucked behind her ear.
Never far away, Molly, Abby’s identical twin sister, explored the forest neighborhood, practicing her stalking and pouncing skills.
“It’s a beautiful morning-up Abby,” called Molly. “Are you sure you don’t want to explore?”
“Oh no thanks,” answered Abby. “There are so many beautiful flowers to draw. I found a new crayon in the basket art studio. It changes color to any color I imagine, and it can add in glitter too. It’s so fun!”
Just then a beautiful butterfly fluttered close and landed on Molly’s purple stained ear.
“Oh hello,” said Molly.
“My, my! A talking flower,” said the butterfly, a little startled.
Molly giggled. “I’m not a flower, I am a tabby cat. My name is Molly.”
“My my. I thought you were a flower, Molly. Your ear is purple like so many of the meadow’s beautiful flowers. My name is Sparkle,” said Sparkle.
“My ear was hit with a Quillza porcupine quill and it turned purple as it healed,” answered Molly. “I think it is pretty.”
“Who’s there Molls?” called Spunky. He ran through the tall grass and made such a huge breeze Sparkle fluttered in a tumble.
“Oh careful Spunky, I was just meeting a new friend,” said Molly.
But butterflies flutter-tumble easily and Sparkle popped up to surprise Molly.
“Here I am,” giggled Sparkle. “Who is that big fella? He’s huge.”
“That is Spunky, he is our best friend,” Molly said smiling. “He saved us after our bicycle basket plunged into the river during a thunderstorm this past spring. Spunky, this is Sparkle.”
Spunky was flat on his back rolling in the grass, unaware of the stir he had created.
“Don’t ya just love a roll in the grass?” Spunky asked.
Sparkle looked at him puzzled, “Butterflies cannot roll. We would break our wings.”
“Have you tried?” Spunky asked, rolling three times in a row. “So fun! So fun!”
“Oh my, my, I get dizzy just watching. No thanks Spunky, I prefer to flutter,” answered Sparkle.
“Have it your way, Spark, you do you,” said Spunky and he ran off to splash in the creek.
“My, my, Molly. He is full of energy,'' said Sparkle.
“He is for sure,” commented Abby.
“Oh! My, my,” said Sparkle. “Am I seeing double?”
“Oh Abby, don’t be such a tease,” said Molly. “I’m sorry Sparkle. This is Abby, my twin sister. Abby, this is Sparkle.”
“Hi Sparkle. It’s very nice to meet a new neighbour,” said Abby.
“Oh my, I’m not new,” said Sparkle. “I’ve always lived in this forest and meadow. It’s a lovely place to live.”
“I know,'' said Abby, “We are new! We’ve only been living by the creek since early summer.”
“My, my, welcome then! I’m glad I fluttered by. I must be off, I have bubbles to collect,” Sparkle said as she fluttered on her way.
