Once upon a time, there were three little butterflies—one snow-white, one bright red, and one bright yellow. They flew together over a blooming meadow, dancing in the sunbeams and happily flitting from flower to flower.
They were so absorbed in their games and laughter that they didn’t even notice they were growing more and more tired. But suddenly, thunder rumbled in the distance, clouds darkened the sky, and rain caught them unprepared. The raindrops soaked their wings before they could find shelter.
The way home was long, and the butterflies desperately searched for a place to hide from the downpour. First, they flew to an elegant lily and begged her, “Lily, kind lily, open your petals to us, we would like to hide from the rain with you.” But the lily replied coldly, “I will only accept the white butterfly. He is as pure as I am. The others must stay outside.”
But the white butterfly shook his head. “Thank you, lily, but I will not hide without my brothers. It’s either all of us or none of us.” And so they flew on, soaked but still together.
Then they tried their luck with the tulip. “Tulip, please open your flower so we can rest in it!” The tulip said, “Yellow and red butterflie, come inside. But I will not take the white butterfly with me.” The butterflies looked at each other and replied as before, “We will not go without our brother. We stick together.”
The rain grew heavier, their wings grew heavier, but the butterflies did not give up and flew on—together, even though they were wet and tired. And just then, the sun saw them. It was moved by how they stuck together and decided to help them. It scattered the clouds, the rain stopped, and its warm rays dried the butterflies’ wings.
The meadow came alive again with light and scents, the flowers smiled, and the three brave butterflies could once again float joyfully over the landscape. And when the sky began to darken in the evening, the butterflies returned home together, where a peaceful sleep awaited them.
