Read an Excerpt
Bella Butterfly
Lost in the Big City
By Lisa Satira Brozek, Mary Connors AuthorHouse
Copyright © 2015 Lisa Satira Brozek
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-5049-0223-6
CHAPTER 1
Bella Butterfly was as sweet as can be. She was the smallest of the children; in all, there were three.
Her family moved from Italy just a few months ago and settled in Pittsburgh where the three rivers flow.
Two older brothers were much bigger and braver. If Bella was in trouble, they always would save her.
Brother Antonio was blue with large, yellow spots. Brother Carlo was orange with green polka dots.
Mama was lovely in her pinks and her blues. Papa had stayed in Italy, sick with the flu.
Bella shimmered in silver and gold. She was the most beautiful; that's what she was told.
The family settled in their new and comfortable nest. As far as Bella was concerned, it was the absolute best!
"Time to go shopping," Mama announced one day. "You must listen closely to the words that I say."
The children gathered around, waiting for Mama's next words, paying attention to everything they heard.
Mother said, "Children, do not wander or roam; the city is large and very far from our home.
"You must stay close by, just an inch from my wing; and if you get lost, just whistle or sing."
They all got ready for their journey that day; each one was excited as they fluttered away.
Flying over trees, gardens, and flowers, they smelled the hint of a light spring shower.
How happy they were on their way to the city. It was just up ahead and looked oh, so pretty.
With so much to look at, Bella was really amazed; no one would notice if she wandered or strayed.
So Bella didn't keep up with her brothers; flying slightly behind, she disobeyed her mother.
Up into the air they soared so high. But when Bella looked down, she started to cry.
"Oh, Mother, I'm dizzy. I fear I might faint!" She fell from the sky into a large pot of paint!
Sticky and gooey, she thought she might drown. Sputtering and fluttering, she fell to the ground.
When she looked up, all she could see were Mama and her brothers flying over the trees.
She tried to whistle, she tried to sing, but all that came out was a paint bubble ring!
She straightened up and shook her wings. Seeing her image in a window, she began to scream!
She was no longer gold, silver, or anything in between. What she saw was an ugly pea green!
"Mama Mia," her mama screamed. "My little Bella is nowhere to be seen."
Carlo and Antonio searched all over town. She must be somewhere, and she must be found!
Mama called Papa to give him the bad news. Papa said he would be there since he was over the flu.
Papa packed his bags and was on his way; he had a long trip to make that day.
Bella wandered through the streets of town. Hungry and tired, she just wanted to lie down.
Bella walked the best she could, since she couldn't travel by air. Her wings were all sticky. This just wasn't fair!
"I should have listened to Mama; she knows what is best. Oh, how I wish I wasn't in such a terrible mess."
Bella looked around town. Everyone else had gone home. Bella was in the big city all alone!
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Bella Butterfly by Lisa Satira Brozek, Mary Connors. Copyright © 2015 Lisa Satira Brozek. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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