Episode One, Part Three

They pick up speed as they descend onto the far side of the leaf near the lowest portion and land with a big thump. They have tumbled into a pile and have managed to accidentally knock a crotchety old man water drop off of his bench, where he was resting peacefully watching the sunrise.

“Oops!” cries Poppy. “Yikes!” squeals the child.

But it’s too late and there he is, splayed out onto the leaf, face down. Poppy helps him back onto the bench and he complains that they have broken his cane in the crash landing. Needless to say, he demands an apology. A quivering Poppy says: “I’m so sorry; I hope that you are OK.” But that’s not enough for him. “How can you be so careless?” he grumbles.  

The small child points out that there is only a tiny scratch and that the cane is perfectly fine. Poppy even offers to repaint the cane. Finally, the old man is content and introduces himself as Mr. Howler Ramirez. He is black with a golden brown mantle. He says that he is named after the noisy monkey who lives in a tree nearby and always yells and complains (Poppy and the child share a knowing look). Since he has spent his entire life in Costa Rica, he has decided to take a last name, just like a human. He asks the child: “And who are you, my dear little droplet?” 

The child firmly asserts that her name is Lily and she is named after the flower, Lily of the Valley. She says that she came to be several years ago in the countryside of Northern Michigan and that this is her first trip to Costa Rica. Then she launches into a litany about her favorite foods and her many toys back home, using a lilting, lyrical voice that makes Mr. Ramirez chortle and Poppy giggle.

With all of the noise the Blue Morpho Butterfly starts to flutter and flies away.

Lily turns the chatter toward her father, who came to be in the jungles of India, and her mother, who is part of the Royal Stewart droplets from Scotland. Then she’s back to describing her toys and quickly admits that her favorite toy is a helicopter. In fact, she tells them that she would be delighted to share a story about the unusual helicopters that they have in Vermont. That is, if they will kindly listen.

Poppy and Mr. Ramirez get settled on the bench while Lily stands in front of them and asks them to “Shhh,” as if she is ready to let them in on a big secret.