Ashwini was flipping through the
pages of her butterfly album. "Almost there but still far away" she
thought. "Just a couple more and I’ll have a perfect butterfly collection
of my own.” "May I come in?" saying these words a tall handsome man
made an appearance. ”Good morning doc, sure.” “So how’s the special lady and
her collection doing?” “Good and bad.” “And how is that?” “Health wise fine but
collection wise not so. Finding the Southern White Admiral is still a herculean
task, unless he himself decides to pay me a visit.” The doc smiled, “yup that
would be cool. Don’t worry we will find him. I have asked my trekker friends to
keep a keen eye. We'll get him soon. Till then take care, I’ll catch you later.”
“Ok”, Ashwini said waving a good bye with a cute smile on her face. The doctor
smiled back and continued on his rounds.
Ashwini was a very special girl. Orphaned from childhood she was raised by the St. Carmel sisters who not only took care of her but also left no stone unturned in her education. Wherever she went she spread joy and laughter in her own innocent way. Particularly interested in butterflies she would spend her entire free time running after, observing and reading about the little flying and vibrantly colourful creatures. To the amazement of all she would recite the biological names of the butterfly species by heart. Even more she would talk about facts that would leave everyone dumbstruck. “Did you know that butterflies need the warmth of the sun to fly? Did you know that butterflies taste with their feet?” “A girl of just 8 years but with the knowledge of a 20 year old graduate, brilliant” would be the common reaction. But the joy was short lived as life took a drastic turn. She was diagnosed with a life threatening disease, that too in the last stage. Her life was reduced to months that kept reducing by the minute.
Though the news was gutting Ashwini promised to fight it out. To give her life purpose she started with a collection of the Top 50 beautiful butterflies she had come across. Seeing her commitment everyone near and far chipped in. Messages, email, flyers were spread telling about her story and mission giving details of the butterflies they were looking for. Sightseer’s just had to mention the place of spotting and would be rewarded. But hearing her story everyone chose the joy in doing good as the only reward. They had come down to the last 2 and things were getting tough. Her condition was deteriorating and time was near at hand. All the people searched while the nuns at St. Carmel prayed diligently for some divine intervention. Cheer broke out when the news of a wanted flyer was spotted. At once people made headway and got the insect home. The last but the rarest one of the lot was remaining and time was catching up fast.
Her well-wishers searched near and far, combed the hills and forests and plains. Even the forest department got into the act. Somewhere Mr. Southern White Admiral must be hiding. The news broke out that Ashwini's condition had got serious. She was moved to the ICU to keep her pulse going. "Come on Ashwini, keep going, you got to. The collection isn’t complete yet.” Ashwini fought hard while the doctors kept treating her and drips to keep the hope alive. Believers prayed for a miracle. Non-believers joined in too. After 3 hours of immense effort the end was announced. Ashwini was no more and her collection incomplete. The hospital and the locality turned into a mourning site as if one of their own had passed away. The doctors kissed Ashwini goodbye and made arrangements for her burial.
The priest spoke briefly about Ashwini and her lovely little ways moving everyone present. The entire locality had turned up. Even people from afar who had heard her story kept coming in to pay their respects. Just as she was going to be laid to rest, a strange but long awaited guest made an appearance - Mr. Southern White Admiral. Finally the collection of the so much deserving girl was complete. Her prayer had been answered and mission complete.
