A mama ladybug one day had a baby and instead of it being a baby ladybug, it was a miniature turtle... Although similar, the turtle had a hard shell and was not as colorful as the mama ladybug. Nevertheless, they were inseparable. One day, the mama ladybug went out with her son, turtle in her pouch; yes, ladybugs carry their young in a pouch, much like a kangaroo. Mama ladybug was buzzing around searching for flowers that were pollinating and good smelling nectar to store up for food. Spring was abounding and the entire gardens were in bloom. Life was good! Spring was in the air, the sun was beaming and the sky cast blue against the green of the garden.
However, darkness loomed in the shadows. The castaways of the garden, the ominous pit vipers were on the prowl. Today, it was Copper, the resident copperhead snake. A young viper prince with a nasty attitude. He searched endlessly for his next victim- insects, mice, squirrels, birds, and especially tasty young ladybugs.
Ladybug & Turtle made their way over to the beautiful banana tree orchards. As they made their way through, they got towards the edge of the banana tree orchard against the bamboo shoot forest. No one in their right mind would venture here. Filled with leaves, weeds and towering bamboo shoots that let no light in. The air here was cold and the ground damp much like a rain forest. But somehow, as ladybug & turtle were enjoying their beautiful spring day and all that the garden offers, they lost track of where they were and direction. Suddenly, the found themselves staring up at the large bamboo shoot forest. They heard Papa yelling there name from afar but were too far away to respond. Suddenly, the air grew colder, the winds began to blow as dark clouds blocked the sun and then..... in an instant, Copper sprang from the cold, moist ground out of his camouflage tent and snapped at Ladybug. This all happened in the blink of any eye. Ladybug, who had always been one of the quickest residents of the garden, sprang back with a somersault in the air and latched onto a nearby bamboo tree. Clutching for life and out of reach of Copper, she gasped for air. She looked for turtle, who had been sleeping but was now wide awake and scared. Ladybug smartly flew straight out of the bamboo forest before Copper could plan his next attack. Moments after, Papa arrived towering over the bamboo forest with his army of hummingbird freedom fighters. They quickly surround Copper, who by now knew his fate was sealed. He was cast away out of the garden and back into the ditch of darkness.
Papa, Ladybug & Turtle returned to the safety of the banana orchards, relieved that they were all safe and unharmed.
Moral of this children's story: Husbands, never, under any circumstance let your wife who is 9 months pregnant do yard work....
