The Tale of Betsy Butterfly

EVERY one of the field people in Pleasant Valley, and the forest folk as well, was different from hisneighbors. For instance, there was Jasper Jay. He was the noisiest chap for miles around. And therewas Peter Mink. Without doubt he was the rudest and most rascally fellow in the whole district.Then there was Freddie Firefly, who was the brightest youngster on the farm-at least after dark, when his light flashed across the meadow.p. 2So it went. One person was wiser than any of his neighbors; another was stupider; andsomebody else was always hungrier. But there was one who was the loveliest. Not only was shebeautiful to look upon. She was graceful in flight as well. When one saw her flittering among theflowers it was hard to say which was the daintier-the blossoms or Betsy Butterfly.For that was her name. Whoever gave it to her might have chosen a prettier one. Betsy herselfalways said that she would have preferred Violet. In the first place, it was the name of a flower. Andin the second, her red-and-brown mottled wings had violet tips.However, a person as charming as Betsy Butterfly did not need worry about her name. Had shebeen named after a dozen flowers she could have been no more attractive.p. 3People often said that everybody was happier and better just for having Betsy Butterfly in theneighborhood. And some claimed that even the weather couldn't help being fine when Betsy wentabroad."Why, the sun just has to smile on her!