Tale 4: Beautifly's Wedding (Ash)

(real tale: The Butterfly's Wedding)


"Hey, Brock?" Ash asked. "May I try performing that story May gave me the bones to on her last visit?"

"Sure." Brock replied. "If you feel confident enough to perform it in front of Misty and me, go for it."

Ash took a deep breath to calm his nerves, then began. "Once upon a time, a Beautifly flew across the skies, and everywhere she went, every Pokemon looked up at her--not only was she physically beautiful, but she had a beautiful heart as well. She was kind, gentle, and never interfered with anyone nor demanded anything from them."

"Not bad on the beginning, but you're rushing a little." Brock interrupts. "Speak slowly and clearly so we can understand you."

Ash nods, and continues his tale. "On this particular day, the Beautifly--let's call her Mariposa--was looking for a mate. She wanted to raise some Wurmples, who would eventually become more Beautiflies. Ho'oh met Mariposa as she began her daily flight across the sky, and wished her well on her quest."

"Azu azu ri?" Azurill asks.

"Mariposa landed on an aster, and as she sipped at the aster's nectar, the aster couldn't help but smile. 'You are sweet, like me...Mariposa, will you marry me'? Mariposa blushed and replied 'Love you as I do, you're not the one for me.' Ash continues, making sure he is not speaking too quickly. "As Mariposa flew over the world, hundreds of Pokemon begged her to marry them. Mariposa loved them too, but she knew in her heart all her would be suitors were not the perfect mate."

"So did Mariposa ever find a perfect mate?" Misty wonders.

"One day, Mariposa met a male Beautifly--we'll call him Osumare--and the two fell wings over heels in love with each other." Ash continues. "The wedding was a grand affair--Pikachus, Spinaraks, Mareeps, Persians, even Shaymin--they and many more Pokemon came to wish the two Beautiflies well. Of course, every guest brought flowers, so the nectar flowed freely."

"Aw..." Brock sighs dreamily.

"A few weeks later, Mariposa asked Osumare to bring her some water." Ash continues. "As Osumare flew down by the riverbank, he lost his balance and fell into the water. A Magikarp was quick to swallow him!"

"Oh no!" Misty gasps, fearful for the two Beautiflies.

"A Yanma saw the whole thing, and relayed the terrible news to Mariposa." Ash then notices Brock bringing his hands together--his signal to slow down. "Mariposa burst into tears, but the other Pokemon did what they could to help."

"Pika?" Pikachu is interested.

"The Ledybas scoured the river, the Lotads searched the lilypads, and the Pidgeottos flew low, looking for the Magikarp." Ash explains to his audience and Pikachu. "The Duckletts went nuts, so the noise awakened the wisps of the forest, who began glittering wildly. But the Deerlings thought everyone was making a big fuss over nothing, so they started laughing. The laughter prompted the Magikarp to surface and open his mouth, allowing Osumare to fly out, unharmed."

Misty heaves a sigh of relief as Ash concludes "Mariposa was elated Osumare was all right. She laid many eggs that year, which hatched into Wurmples, who in turn became more Beautiflies, beginning the cycle anew."

Brock leads the applause. "Very good! Just be careful not to rush while you're telling--we can't understand you if you're going a hundred miles an hour."

Ash sweatdrops. "I need to work on not talking too fast...."

"Well, if it helps, I want you to watch how I speak clearly and pace myself in this next tale..." Brock suggests as Happini adds a stick to the fire....