The Mantis & the Butterfly

On a quiet sunny afternoon
a mantis approached a butterfly
slowly fanning it's new wings
on a branch far up a tree

The butterfly greeted with
great trepidation as it was
totally vulnerable until
it's new wings were dry
enough to give first flight

The mantis stopped and
inquired why the butterfly
made no attempt to flee
from it's killing,crushing
deathly,hungry embrace

The butterfly moved it's
tender wings a little faster
and thought of things
to stall the terrifying
predator a little longer

"Sir, if I may", she began,
"let me tell you of my
 strange life up till now
for I have never spoke to
another living creature
until this very moment"

The mantis flexed it's
praying arms slowly and
turned it's head slightly
as if to signify to the
butterfly to continue

"I was born from an egg
and from that point devoted
my life to eating constantly.
I grew rapidly and molted
many times to accommodate
my growing body"

"Yes I know" replied the mantis.
"I have eaten many caterpillars
in my time. Very succulent"
It bobbed slowly on long
green legs, still flexing.

"Um.." continued the butterfly
nervously, "of course you have.
"from there I hid myself in a
shell where I changed into
my current form" it said,
flapping it's wing quickly.

"I see" said the mantis
"And what pretty wings you
now have. Not like mine...
plain and green and noisy"
It spread it's own wings slowly

"Then perhaps you might wish
to see how my wings look and
sound floating through this
summer air" said the butterfly

"Yes, yes, I would very much
enjoy seeing how such marvel
entertains" said the Mantis
bouncing up and down now
with anticipation

Seeing it's opportunity,
the butterfly sprang from
the branch, wings pushing
hard to create distance
from it's distracted company

But as quick as she was
the mantis was even quicker
snapping down around
wing and body alike

"Why? Why?" implored
the dying butterfly in
the crushing grip of it's
last moments alive.

"You wanted to see my
pretty wings in flight...
floating across the air"
it whispered in it's sad
and dying final breathes.

"Yes, yes I truly did" said
the leering Praying Mantis
"But to kill and eat is my
nature unfortunately..."
"And so it is, my nature is
stronger than my curiosity"