Photo Credit: TJ Paris
Vincent had invested years as an Aurelian devoted to the study of Lepidoptera. In lay terms, he was a butterfly chaser!
A rumor had sparked his latest quest to a remote village at the base of a mountain. Several locals had seen a strange looking butterfly frequenting the cliff-clinging, succulents nearby. It was a long treacherous climb to the summit but when he saw it, he knew.
“If only I could get a closer look,” he thought as he inched toward the edge.
Weeks later, search teams were only able to recover Vincent’s camera, his remains likely carried off by wild animals.
In those final moments he managed to capture the only photographed record of his greatest discovery…a most rare butterfly that would forever be known as the “Vicentius’ Praeda Fugacior Papilio.” (Vincent’s Elusive Butterfly)
kat ~ 20 October 2015
(137 Words)
Thanks to Priceless Joy for this week’s FFfAW (Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers) challenge. Phito credit to: TJ Paris! thanks TJ! to read more stories click HERE.
like mercury colliding... 
October 20th, 2015 at 8:48 am
That’s sad that he lost his life trying to capture the photograph of the rare butterfly. Maybe it is worth it since they named the butterfly after him. It’s a wonderful story with a sad ending.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 20th, 2015 at 8:50 am
Thanks! This challenge took some thought. It was a good one! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 20th, 2015 at 8:54 am
Thank you Kat! I am happy to hear you enjoyed the prompt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 20th, 2015 at 9:31 am
This is a wonderful story that uses a wonderful play on words 🙂 I love the idea that the butterfly was named after him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 20th, 2015 at 9:33 am
Thank you Angie. I have been accused of chasing butterflies on more than one occasion! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 20th, 2015 at 12:43 pm
People will go to great lengths and heights to find butterflies. That was a very good story. 🙂
LikeLike
October 20th, 2015 at 12:45 pm
Thank you Deborah. Especially when one’s entire life has been devoted to finding that new species! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 20th, 2015 at 2:06 pm
A Lepidoptera-ian martyr … So sad he could not back in his new-found glory? Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 20th, 2015 at 3:48 pm
So true Roger…sad but true! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 20th, 2015 at 11:29 pm
I have nominated your great blog for both awards; Blogger Recognition Award and One Lovely Blog Award. You can see the details at http://susanscreativewritingandpoetry.com/2015/10/20/such-a-blessing-being-nominated/
LikeLike
October 21st, 2015 at 11:03 am
Thank you Susan. I truly appreciate the recognition. Your visit to my blog is a great reward in itself. Thank you for thinking of me. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 21st, 2015 at 11:16 am
Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 21st, 2015 at 1:45 am
Science requires risk, but I think he might have wanted to take a little less risk and use a slightly longer zoom lens instead. Great story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 21st, 2015 at 2:35 am
Thank you! I like to think he died doing what he loved! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 21st, 2015 at 6:14 pm
Sacrificed his life for his passion. Sad that he died, but I doubt he has any regrets! If you want something, go after it, right? :-S 😦 🙂
I loved this piece, right from the start when I thought to myself, “A whaty what studying what?!” Lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 21st, 2015 at 7:02 pm
Thanks Izzy. I agree! We should all be so lucky to die doing what we love! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 21st, 2015 at 10:20 pm
What a smart & clever story! So enjoyed reading it at Vincent’s expense!! Those darn rumors will get you every time, but you are right he died doing what he loved and made his greatest discovery all in one fell swoop!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 21st, 2015 at 10:46 pm
Thank you Deb, for taking the time ton comment. He did the final swooping! ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 23rd, 2015 at 4:58 pm
Hopefully he died happy and smiling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 23rd, 2015 at 6:07 pm
Yes! That is my hope too.
LikeLike