Senor Snail's Flower Bed

"I just don't get it!" Pouted the little ladybug that had been sitting in Senor Snail's flower bed for some time now.

"Essy, you know how in Miss Tizzies class," Senor Snail went on to explain to little Esmeralda, then he mumbled under his breath exasperated, "when there was class that is..."

"Essy, remember when one of the other little bugs coughed or sneezed, what did Miss Tizzie always say?"

Esmeralda twisted and turned tired by all of it now and beginning to wonder about the importance of it all anyways.

A small moth zipped by and Essy followed it with her eyes.

Senor Snail cleared his throat and slithered closer to where she was perched by the lilies in his flower bed.

"Esmeralda," he sighed. "My little ladybug student, this is very important. This pandemic changed the way all beings live their lives. What we consider normal just isn't acceptable any longer. There are new guidelines and new rules creating a new normal. Does this make sense?"

"Can't I just learn about the pandemic tomorrow instead of today Senor Snail, pluuueaze?" She pleaded to her nstructor while watching the little moth she recognized from her regular class zip around and have fun.

"Pandemic. Essy, it's called a pandemic and that's exactly why tomorrow will be one day too late for you Miss Esmeralda. Now, please say it with me...

Pan-de-mic."

Esmeralda reluctantly followed the instructions and with several repetitions she was spot on.

Senor Snail went on to explain some pointers on the pandemic so that a child could understand.

"See Essy, whenever someone in Miss Tizzies class sneezed Miss Tizzie always hollered out 'legs over your mouth'. Can you remember that?"

Little Esmeralda nodded. Her big black eyes were open wide and her antennae were on high response. She was determined to get it this time. She drew her leg up to her face mask and covered it as though she was covering her mouth with her leg.

"Good little lady bug." They both gave a wiggle showing their joy and he continued.

"This virus can take your life so it's very important that everyone follows the rules. Covering our mouths and our noses is where we start. And we can accomplish that by wearing our face masks every where we go." He did a little snap to his face mask and the ladybug giggled.

"Now the second part is keeping what is called our social distance."

"I remember this one Senor Snail," Essy shouted excited to play a role in this explanation. "Six feet."

And she too followed her answer with a snap to her mask.

"Yes, Essy. We've modified it just a bit so that in our bug world it would be more befitting, but you are accurate six feet is the social distance now required."

"If one oesn't feel well and it's vertebra or scales or tentacles ache what should one do?"

Esmeralda sat for a moment and thought real hard about this question and she came up with the best answer she could imagine.

"Well, Senor Snail, if one of our fellow bugs wakes up for class, when there is class I should say. And it's vertebra hurts. Or it's scales or tentacles are all sore, well, they should just turn right around and climb back into bed. They should keep themselves clear of the other bugs so no one else can catch the virus. They need to call Dr. Dragonfly and make an appointment right away to get a test to see for sure if it's the deadly virus."

"Wonderful Esmeralda. Yes, wonderful. I think you have gotten it this time little lady!"

Esmeralda did a happy little flight around the flower bed. The lilies and daisies gave a short hoot back.

She was quite proud of herself and her red began to glow.

Senor Snail went on about some of the other symptoms and even talked a little about the vaccinations.

"And now that you understand a little clearer you can see there is nothing to be afraid of. That the vaccinations are designed to help keep you healthy. This and practicing ......what Essy?"

"Social distancing and wearing our face masks at all times." The little ladybug replied.

"Correct!"

Together they danced around, keeping their distance of course, and were overjoyed at her accomplishment.

And with that Senor Snail dismissed the session and sent Esmeralda home and waited patiently on the next student.

As Essy made her way out of the flower bed, she came face to face, (or should it read mask to mask?) with the little moth that was zipping around earlier. She was next in line to see Senor Snail. Essy recognized her from Miss Tizzies class.

"Hi Matilda." Essy said.

"Hey, Essy, hello. Hey, wait ...umm... Was it super boring?" The little moth asked the little ladybug.

"Um, not at all." Esmeralda replied feeling a bit braver than earlier.

"Did you know this pandemic is deadly?" She said in a matter of factly and took her exit, leaving the little moth bewildered standing at the flower bed's entrance.

"Next in line. Why that would be you Matlida. Come now, don't be shy," Senor Snail eased the little moth into his flower bed.

And Essy headed home to tell all the other ladybugs what she had learned today in Senor Snail's flower bed.