- 1. It is a blustery September day in the Rocky Mountains of the
USA and two Monarch butterflies, Brenton and Bethany, are preparing
for their big trip to Mexico. Every year at this time, when the
wind begins to chill and the leaves fall gracefully from the trees
the Monarch butterflies prepare to fly 4000km south for the Winter.
Brenton and Bethany, who are Monarch butterflies and best friends,
are eating nectar from milkweed flowers to prepare for their
journey. Brenton, asked Bethany, What do you think Mexico will be
like? I image it will be warm and sunny all the time. Butbut are
you scared about the long journey?.
2. Dont be scared Bethany, our family will help us on the
journey there, Brenton assured her, and when we arrive it will be
so much fun, with so many other butterflies to play with! The next
day Brenton, Bethany their families all took off from their homes
and headed south. Flying higher than ever before, a cloud of
colourful wings flapping higher and higher, until people look like
tiny ants below . Stay with us children, Brentons mum warned, its a
long way to Mexico and we dont want to lose you. Brenton turned to
Bethany with a hint of mischief in his eyes, Youre it!, he suddenly
cried, turning to chase Bethany. She sped off, trying not to get
caught. Up and down, left and right she darted through the air to
get away from Brenton. 3. Bethany looked back at Brenton and
laughed, Cant catch a girl hey Brenton? she called back playfully.
Finally Brenton caught up with her , Got you! , he cried, out of
breath. Bethany looked around and laughed, but suddenly stopped,
Brenton, she said slowly, where is everyone? Brentons eyes roamed
the skies for any sign of his family, but he could see no one. Were
alone he said, everyones left us! What do we do now? moaned
Bethany, We dont know the way to Mexico! My grandmother told me
that deep down all Monarch butterflies know the way to Mexico,
Brenton said, as long as they stay over land and follow the warmth
of the Sun. 4. They were flying off when the next instant a shadow
passed over Brenton and Bethany. Brenton looked up A BIRD!, he
cried out, FLY, NOW!Brenton and Bethany flew as fast as their wings
could carry them, but the bird was still catching up to them.
Brenton looked out ahead of him, Follow me Bethany, we are going to
have to fly out over the ocean . Hopefully the bird wont follow us
there, he panted. But what about what your Granmother said?,
replied Bethany, If we go out over the ocean how will we get to
Mexico? Well figure it out, exclaimed Brenton, but if we dont lose
this bird we wont make it anyway! Brenton and Bethany flew as fast
as they could, past the end of the land and out over the vast blue
ocean. They dared not look back until they were well out to ocean.
Did we lose him?, called Brenton. 5. Bethany quickly peered over
her shoulder, We lost him!, she called back. But now we have to
find our way to Mexico! And we have no idea where we are! Did I
hear you say you were going to Mexico young lady? A friendly voice
called out from the ocean below. Bethany and Brenton looked down in
surprise to see a dolphin looking up at them. Yes, I did, called
Bethany to the dolphin, Do you know it? Of course I do! replied the
dolphin, I look the family there last year, its that way, he said
pointing his right flipper, but I wouldnt go there if I were you,
looks like rain, he warned as he dove off into the ocean. Thank
you! Bethany called out as the dolphin swam off. That was nice of
him, said Brenton, This way, lets go! Wait! called Bethany, what
about the rain? It wont rain! laughed Brenton 6. But he was wrong.
The sky around them became dark and the clouds formed a grey roof
over their heads. The rain started gently at first but soon enough
Bethany and Brenton were caught in the middle of a thunderstorm!
Lightning flashed and thunder banged like a drum. Just keep
following the warmth! Brenton called out to Bethany, youll know
where to fly! 7. The rain slowly stopped until only drizzle
remained, then the clouds parted to reveal a rainbow. Oh my, its
beautiful! Bethany said sadly I wish my family could be here with
me to see this. But we are so lost that I dont think Ill ever see
them again. Your Grandmother was wrong Brenton, we followed the
warmth, and the Dolphin, but I dont know where Mexico is! Im sorry
Bethany, Brenton said, but weve come so far, Mexico must be close!
And weve made it past the bird, over the ocean and through the
storm, we just cant give up now! Oh Brenton, this has been a
wonderful adventure, but why dont we just go home? Bethany sadly
asked. Ill tell you why, said Brenton with a big grin on his face,
Because we made it!! Behind that rainbow I can see MEXICO! 8. And
it was just as beautiful as they had always imagined. 9. Really do
fly south to Mexico for the winter. Every year, millions of Monarch
Butterflies fly from their homes in North America almost 4000km
south to spend the winter in Mexico where it is warmer. Nobody
really knows exactly how they find their way there, as the
butterflies who make this journey each year have never been before
yet still make it to the same spot where their great, great, great
Grandparents spent the winter the previous year. Most Monarch
butterflies travel over the land however they have been spotted out
to sea on occasion by people who work on oil rigs on the ocean. The
picture below is of thousands of real monarch butterflies on the
trees in Mexico over the winter.
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/news/2007/june/images/monarchs-sky-
370_11892_1.jpg
