THT's μMayhem Series
Lovingly placed by the Tropical Heritage Team
I’d like to bring you to one of our team’s favorite places, Miller Nature Preserve. Miller is part of the Lorain County Metro Parks, and features an indoor garden and gift shop, the Orchid Café, an outdoor garden, meeting area, and butterfly garden, and some really nice trails. The indoor garden often has a seasonal display as well as a terrific orchid collection and a parrot named Echo!
The preserve, as well as this cache, is available daily from 10 am until 6 pm. If you choose to go into the indoor garden after finding this cache, the price of admission is $2. However, finding this cache and enjoying the grounds outside are free of charge. This cache is best found in summer when the butterfly garden is open, but can be found year-round.
When we placed this cache, I was reminded of a childhood story. The story below is how the cache got its name. We hope you enjoy your stroll around Miller, and hope that the surroundings bring you peace even though the cache might be challenging!
The Way of the Butterfly
A long, long time ago, in a land far, far away, a young prince surveyed what would soon be his kingdom. The prince, though, was troubled. He reflected upon all of his opportunity, yet wondered why he was still unhappy.
He went to ask his father, the King, what happiness was. The king said “Son, happiness is bringing peace to the kingdom and being a fair and just ruler. If all of our people are safe and protected, we are happy rulers.”
The prince thought about this, but decided that this answer did not satisfy him. He thought that he would go for a walk through the forest that surrounds the palace.
Upon entering the forest, he came across an ant. He asked the ant, “Ant, what brings you happiness?”
The ant replied, “I am happy doing my duty for the queen and colony. I work tirelessly to do my part to bring food and shelter materials to my own.”
The prince moved on and came across a hedgehog. He asked, “Hedgehog, what makes you happy?”
The hedgehog chittered, “Happiness is doing my duty for my hoglets. I have two little boys and three little girls, and they all need me for food and attention. Ensuring that they are safe, well-fed, and warm at night makes me happy.”
The prince continued his walk until he came upon a meadow. The flowers were in bloom, and mixed in with green were shades of lavender, gold, and red. As he got closer, he spotted a butterfly on a coneflower.
“Butterfly, what is happiness to you?” the prince asked.
Butterfly did not respond. Instead, he lifted effortlessly into the air, and in two flaps of his wings, he was carried off by the breeze.
The prince, momentarily, was at peace.
Happy hunting!
-THT
Placed with Permission
