The Ass's Shadow

When I was in fourth grade, I remember doing something with Aesop's Fables. It seems to me, we copied the fables into a composition book. Of course, that was many moons ago but I distinctly remember writing the moral to the tale because, after we copied the fable, we had to skip a line. The last line was the "moral" to the story. (This I remember! My password, I have to look up! LOL)

However, I digress. During my browse of Aesop, I'm inclined to think our teacher edited what we could write because one fable refers to an "ass." (OK, remember this is the '60s. I'm certain we did not read about "The Ass, The Cock, and The Lion" in fourth grade! )

Now that I'm all grown up, I would like to share this fable with you, and the moral of the story.

The Ant and the Chrysalis


An Ant nimbly running about in the sunshine in search of food came
across a Chrysalis that was very near its time of change. The
Chrysalis moved its tail, and thus attracted the attention of the Ant,
who then saw for the first time that it was alive. "Poor, pitiable
animal!" cried the Ant disdainfully. "What a sad fate is yours!
While I can run hither and thither, at my pleasure, and, if I wish,
ascend the tallest tree, you lie imprisoned here in your shell, with
power only to move a joint or two of your scaly tail." The Chrysalis
heard all this, but did not try to make any reply. A few days after,
when the Ant passed that way again, nothing but the shell remained.
Wondering what had become of its contents, he felt himself suddenly
shaded and fanned by the gorgeous wings of a beautiful Butterfly.
"Behold in me," said the Butterfly, "your much-pitied friend! Boast
now of your powers to run and climb as long as you can get me to
listen." So saying, the Butterfly rose in the air, and, borne along
and aloft on the summer breeze, was soon lost to the sight of the
Ant forever.


Moral: "Appearances are deceptive."

Florida is an oasis for butterflies and butterfly gardens. Many schools in our district have constructed butterfly gardens, especially in the elementary grades. It's a great learning experience for the students and gives them an opportunity to watch nature first hand.

I have listed some of the butterflies students have documented. It is exciting to be able to experience the butterfly gardens, espeically since the students plan the entire project. This is generally a fifth grade project. The culminating activity is a visit to the Butterfly Gardens in St. Petersburg.

Busch Gardens

If you live in Florida, or have an opportunity to journey to Florida, I would highly recommend the Gardens. There is also an aviary in St. Petersburg that is a must see!

SPORTS

The Tampa Bay area also is home of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team, the Lightning Hockey team, and the Buccaneers football team!

Yes, it's good to be a Floridian!