The Back Stories With Darnell and Cornelia - #11 The Barnes Dandelion Fire Weeble

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. 

 Rebecca shrugged her tiny shoulders and her little munchkin voice declared, 

"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

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©10/01/2019
Vol. 1 Ep. 11