May 6, 2020
Nothing can be truer than fairy wisdom. It is as true as sunbeams. — Douglas Jerrold
A Soft Knock at the Door
by Pamela Perkins
Little Elf was making some dandelion tea 
And wishing so much that right now she
Had a friend coming to share it, and a biscuit too,
But she knew for now there was naught she could do.
Outside things were strange, unknown and scary.
The forest folk stayed calm, but still felt quite wary
Hardly venturing outside, except when they must;
At home they’d be safe, in this they had trust.
Suddenly Mousie twitched his soft little ears:
She too wondered at the faint sound she could hear.
“Why, ’tis a knock, “ she exclaimed , so with her hand she drew
Her door open a crack, then curious, stepped through.
She looked to her left; she peeked to her right,
But ne’er could she see anyone in sight.
Then came whisper and the slightest wee buzz:
“Look overhead, up here, on the catkins’ soft fuzz!”
And there she sat, her coat shiny and bright
Deep red
dotted with black, and a bit of white.
Sszip the ladybird peered down from high on her perch
On the end of a branch of a slender white birch.
“I’ve come to bring you fair tidings this day –
Be not discouraged for at long last ‘tis May
Soon soft breezes and warm golden sun shall bring
Green leaves , and the beautiful fragrances of Spring.”
“Take heart, don’t be sad or lonely … I know,
It’s been hard to stay home so many days in a row.
Soon all will be well, and the forest will ring
With laughter of friends as they resume visiting.”
“Thank you so much for doing your part
By keeping inside ‘til the storm clouds depart.
Your best friends Rabbit, Groundhog, and Frisky Squirrel too
Asked me to send their best wishes and love to you.”
Then Sszip flew off , and was soon out of sight.
“Goodbye ,” called Little Elf, “ Have a safe homeward flight ! ”
With a sigh of pleasure, she went inside once more
So happy she had answered that soft knock at her door.
To find more healing stories visit the website of Susan Perrow
And to make your own little ladybug finger puppet, purchase Around the World with Finger Puppets, by Suzanne Down