It's the Little Things

I recently saved the life of a butterfly.  I was leaving the local liquor emporium with my purchase when I noticed a red admiral butterfly stuck inside the store.  It was desperately  fluttering up and down the picture windows trying to find a way to escape. I knew there was no way the butterfly could survive in a sterile, indoor environment, so I took it upon myself to release it outdoors.
Normally I would have had two free hands to capture the butterfly, because I rarely leave the house without my knapsack to carry my goods.  But not this time.  Since I was holding a bottle of wine, I was forced to perform the capture and release operation with only one hand.  I suppose I could have put the bottle down on the floor, but I didn't think that was good idea with all the people walking around.
After a couple of failed attempts to cup the panicky little creature in my free hand, I finally managed to scoop it off the window. Two hands would have made it much easier to catch and then enclose the butterfly between my palms, so capturing it with only one hand was a very delicate procedure.  I'm glad that my slow, careful movements proved to be successful. 
Fortunately, I was very close to the sliding doors, which made it possible for me to make a quick exit.  As I burst out the doors holding a bottle in a paper bag in one hand (I know how that sounds - but too bad) and a butterfly cupped in the other, I nervously announced to a couple of customers entering the store to make way for a woman on a butterfly rescue mission.  They seemed rather amused as they politely complied with my request.  As soon as I was outside, I opened my hand and watched the butterfly take off.  I'd been able to contain it without damaging its wings at all. 
I was very grateful for a happy ending to a sweet little bit of drama.  Helping that butterfly made my day.  And I bet the butterfly was glad, too.
- g.p.