"I'll beat you there!" Ziyad charges ahead through the tall green grass, racing Mom and Dad to the wooden park bench. Suddenly, a bright flash of blue stops him in his tracks.
A tiny butterfly snaps its wings shut. It hides in the rough dirt beneath a broad dandelion leaf. Ziyad crouches down fast, watching the little creature tremble.
The butterfly peeks out from the shadows. It flutters its wings with a soft pap-pap-pap. Just as quickly, it folds them tight again against the cool morning breeze.
"It's okay," Ziyad whispers. He sits perfectly still in the grass. The warm sun patches shift over the ground as he holds his breath.
Very slowly, Ziyad reaches into the dandelion patch. He extends one pointer finger forward, resting his hand flat on the cool earth.
The butterfly steps out from the green leaf and taps Ziyad's fingernail. It climbs aboard his hand. He beams a wide, silent smile at the ticklish taps on his skin.
Whoosh! A sudden gust of wind rattles the oak leaves above. The breeze catches the delicate wings, sending the butterfly tumbling backward off his finger!
Ziyad moves fast. He gently cups his other hand underneath the tumbling bug, creating a sturdy landing pad. The insect lands safely in his palms.
The butterfly pauses for a second in Ziyad's hands. It opens its bright blue wings all the way to the sun. With a strong push, it launches into the air.
The brave bug spirals up into the clouds. Ziyad runs back to Mom and Dad, pointing high above. He waves both hands in the air until the blue speck disappears.
