The Barnes Dandelion Fire
Weeble
This is Frank Meredith of
CBS Science News.
A press
conference was held at the University Entomology Department earlier today. Dr.
Phillip Barnes, a renowned entomologist, was answering questions about his
history-making discovery last week of the bug shown in the photo. As is
usual for discoveries in the scientific community, the bug has been officially
named the Barnes Dandelion Fire Weeble. This elusive bug is believed to be a
part of the firefly family (Lampyridae).
As far as scientists can
tell the little weeble only comes out near day break when the silky strands of
ripe dandelions are laden with dew drops. While the weebles drink, it is
fascinating to watch their chests light up with a golden glow and their little
raisin-shaped bodies slowly expand and grow until they are the shape of a dew
drop themselves.
When asked about the
apparent giant horn on the top of the bug's head, Dr. Barnes replied:
"Since we have never been able to capture a Dandelion Fire Weeble, we are
unsure about its physiognomy."
Suddenly a very young
voice could be heard saying, "I know."
All eyes and cameras
turned to a small child near the back of the room. An older reporter next to
her spoke up, "This is my granddaughter, Rebecca." Dr. Barnes stepped
down from the podium and came to kneel in front of the little girl. "Go
ahead, Rebecca," he smiled, "tell us what you know."
Rebecca smiled back at
Dr. Barnes, but her eyes questioned her grandfather. "Go ahead," he
whispered.
"After the little
bugs drink the night water and the light in their hearts turns on, they fly
behind the hydrangea bushes where the fairies live. And then, I mean, the
little bugs fit perfectly in the fairy's hands," she added, holding her
hands cupped to show what she meant.
"The fairies turn
the little bugs upside down and they drink the water that comes out of the pipe
on the bug's head until the bug gets skinny. Then they, um, it flies back out
and fills back up again!"
Rebecca fell silent. Her
eyes inspected her little pink tennis shoes, as if suddenly afraid she had said
too much. The only sound was the clicking of the cameras.
After a minute, Dr.
Barnes asked quietly, "Then what happens, Rebecca?"
Rebecca lifted her head
and turned her palms into the air. She cocked her head to the side and said,
"Well, geez, then the day gets too bright and I can't see them
anymore!"
Darnell J. Knauss, Author
Cornelia Wenokor, Illustrator
Cornelia Wenokor, Illustrator
©10/01/2019
Vol. 1 Ep. 11
Vol. 1 Ep. 11
Comments
Seriously, I LOVE these little illustrated stories and was thrilled when a friend of mine gave me a link to Darnell's blog, telling me all about her writing...but of course, I already have the link!
Such fun! Thank you for the smile :-)
Cath x