YOUNG VOICES November Winner: Short Story by Emma S., 9th grade, Mineola High School
Congratulations to Emma S., 9th grade, Mineola High School for being named one of the Young Voices November Winner!
Emma’s short is a beautifully reflective story about transformation and freedom. In this poetic piece, the narrator chases an elusive butterfly in a garden, only to fall asleep and dream of becoming one. This story invites readers to explore themes of wonder, identity, and the beauty of nature.
“Eyes of the butterfly”
As I sit outside and gaze into the life above, the butterfly flies through the sky and lands on a blue flower next to where I sit. I glance over at the butterfly, and notice it among the other flowers. It looked like gold out with copper. I could see the butterfly land on the flower and reflect the vehement orange off its wings. I ran over to the butterfly to catch the butterfly but it wouldn’t attract my magnet. Therefore I chase after the butterfly, fleeing me from my garden. I grabbed, and grabbed the butterfly, swinging my arms trying to find my pet. But my pet didn’t come home. Dissatisfied with the outcome, I walk moping back to my blue blanket and I lay down with the grass. Worn out from running, I decided to close my eyes.
In my dream, I wake up on a branch on a tall tree. I look around and notice I have two bright orange wings. First I stumble trying to balance the wings in equalibrum. Once I get it, I’m ready to fly. The sun opens up from the hidden green leaves, and I try to jump, but I don’t. I question if I should fly or I should hide. The sun reflects the orange on my wings, creating my own light. And with all of my might, I push away from the branch and there! I was in the air and soaring through the blue skies. Through twists and turning my wings, I am flying through the air! The feeling feels serene through me, it feels great! All of a sudden, I noticed a hand grabbing at me, one hand after another swinging at me, trying to capture me. I duck and duck dodging the hands reaching at me. Zoom, zoom, zoom! I fly through kids' hands and continue to soar. I come upon a flower field and looking back at the kids, running to the flutter of my wings, I fly over to this blue flower. It reminds me of lying on the blue blanket that I once laid on. Then I look up and the walls of my wings cave in, and sooner or later, I was gone.
I awaken back to life, laying on the blue blanket. I wonder what just happened. I look at the orange butterfly sitting on the blue flower, noticing I was once a butterfly too.