Louise decided not to be discouraged. She dressed quickly, pinned her hair back, tied her apron and promised Galya to be there for lunch.

"Run. Look for love," the old woman only smiled. But she was uneasy at heart – what could those young men from the City do? At first glance it seemed that there was no one but farmers and butterflies in the Forests and Steppes – but there were not. There were those who flew. Those who hid. Those who lived underground. And then there were Galya and Louise. By the way, the girl often asked if there were no other Butterflies in the neighborhood; Galya answered in the negative, and it was true. Louise was really alone – at least, if she didn't get a visit from her mommy.

Once again, she followed the path. The same path that led to the border. In a way it could be called the Path of Life – it led Louise forward. The girl reached the cottage where she had watched Niels yesterday, but today there was no one there. The windows were not curtained, and Louise could even make out some furniture inside. "That's strange, it's summer. And today is also Saturday. He's not here. Maybe I have found the wrong house?" the girl was upset, but suddenly she heard a butterfly – it landed on her shoulder.

– Run away from here!" squeaked the butterfly. – Stay away from people!

– Excuse me, but what's the matter?

– There are teenagers infiltrating our Steppes and Forests. They…

– I think I saw them. And then I cried.

– Poor child! You see!" replied the butterfly sympathetically.

– There were four of them," said Louise, rather to herself.

– Yes, and they got into the Forest! They got into the Hollow of our Tree. I helped to drive them away, but they didn't seem to believe in good magic yet.

– They're not dead? " the girl asked.

– No. But they'll come home and panic. We could be attacked.

– By who? Just people? And we – whom do you mean?

– Woodland and prairie creatures, of course! We, butterflies, just so you know, belong to two worlds at once – the Forest and the Steppes.

– So do I. I'm a Butterfly. And I belong to both our world and the human world.

– Are you gonna fight?

– What?! No, I'm not…

– Do you know other Butterfly people, Louise?

– How do you know me?

– You've been living here forever.

– I'm only twelve, I don't…

– Not for you, but for us, insects, it's an eternity.

– I see, but what shall we do?

– Go to the City and destroy it.

– You've got to be kidding me.

– Not at all.

– I've got a better idea," said Louise. – Why don't just follow those teenagers?

– You're younger than them, girl.

– What's the big deal? Younger doesn't mean dumber, does it?

– It's their own fault. Nature's tired of it. Tired of humans. They can't go unpunished forever.

– They must have a king. Who do we have?" asked the girl, though she didn't know much about politics.

– Our Tree, of course. It is life.

– Mine too?

– My little head is tired of questions. I have to leave," the butterfly replied and disappeared into the dazzling blue of the sky.

The day was sunny, but the little girl's soul was suddenly troubled.

"Maybe that's why Galya sent me to get the newspaper? Did she just want to know the news? But I'll be brave – I'll take it and go to the City. But before I do that, I'll see the boy Niels. At least with one eye…"

There are insect butterflies and there are human butterflies. How are they different?

Niels rode silently on the wagon with the rest of the boys. It was so unusual, in the age of automobiles and peregrine falcons, to travel by horseback; she was doing a good job, though.