After she handed Pavi over, Elsa found a job as a butterfly recorder on the South Downs. She camped amongst the bell heather and rose early in the morning to tramp a ten mile stretch of heathland. She counted pearl-bordered fritillaries, white admirals and skippers. But it was the rare silver-studded blue that Elsa worried for the most. When the caterpillars hatched, a species of ant carried them into the nest and fed them until the butterfly emerged.
She wondered about her own child, being fed, housed and cared for by another mother, and whether she would ever fly back home.
***
This is a Friday Fictioneers story. 100 (or so) writers writing 100-words (or so) inspired by the picture above (supplied this week by Madison Woods.) Join in or read some more stories.
***
As well as being inspired by the picture above, this story was also inspired by the re-introduction of the silver-studded blue butterfly on the South Downs (a 1,600km2 national park stretching from Winchester to Eastborne in the south of England). More about the butterfly here.
Claire Fuller 
Reblogged this on Jackie Cartwright Author/Blogger and commented:
A beautiful short story from Claire Fuller. I’m a fan!
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Thank you so much!
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Poignant, painful and powerful.
Great writing.
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Thank you!
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There can be nothing sadder than to hand your own child for adoption.. the butterfly a metaphor and a reminder.. so well done.
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Thanks Bjorn.
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Oh dear! And I thought the missing child had merely been handed off, as so many are, to a nursery, or daycare, or sitter. The added fillip of adoption makes this even more poignant. Well done Claire. 🙂
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I guess the title gives it away 😉 But thanks!
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I do apologize. After reading 20 or 30 Flash Fictions, I was so anxious to get to the ‘meat’ of your story, that I skipped over your title, and didn’t regain consciousness till I read Bjorn’s comment. 😳
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Hah! I do exactly the same!
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Lovely! What a great balance of beauty and despair.
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Thanks, Alicia. Glad you liked it.
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Truly beautiful, and so very sad. Well told!
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Thanks so much, Yolanda
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A poignant metaphor: well done Claire.
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Thanks so much, Mick.
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A beautiful yet sad tale. I live in Eastbourne and love nothing more than spending time amongst the butterflies on Beachy Head and beyond
Rosey Pinkerton’s blog
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Thanks, Rosey. I’m gradually walking the South Downs way, so I’ll probably make Eastbourne in December!
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A heart breaking story ever so realistic.
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Thank you – glad you enjoyed it.
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Stunning piece, Claire. Gorgeous and heartbreaking, but with just enough hope.
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Thanks Melanie. I think the narrator is hopeful, so we should be too.
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Fascinating story with heartfelt sensitivity. Wonder what the back story might be.
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Yes, I wonder. Thanks, Perry.
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A beautiful, sadstory, and also fascinating information about the blues. Thanks for that.
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Thanks. I didn’t know anything about them until I wrote the story, but I walk on the South Downs very often.
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I shall have to look out for those butterflies when I return to Sussex next month. Sad story that made me think how lucky I am that I never had to give away my children.
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Oh, goodness, me too! I’ve been walking the South Downs Way, but not seen any yet.
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Dear Claire,
I’ve had a couple of friends who gave their babies up for a adoption. You’ve captured their feelings beautifully.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It must be one of the hardest things to do. Thanks, Rochelle.
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Beautifully written, Claire. I can’t imagine the pain of letting go of a child or how you might ever get over it.
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No, me neither. Thanks for reading, Amy.
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I echo the sentiments made by Amy ^^^ above.
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Thanks, Dawn
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That must be heart-wrenching, to hand one’s child over and wonder about it. You’ve woven that idea so beautifully into the butterfly and ant story.
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Thank you. It’s difficult to imagine what it must be like.
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poignant, beautifully written
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Thank you!
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I like the way you tied the story together, Claire. I was wondering if the ants used the butterflies for food or some other reason. That would give a sinister cast to the real life equivalent. In any case, great story.
-David
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I think the ants are fooled into thinking that the caterpillar is their lavae, and so feed it. Sometimes the caterpillars then eat the ants. Thanks for reading!
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Great achievement to put in so much colour and detail about the butterflies and yet keep the story thread so very strong.
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Thanks Hilary!
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