A change for all

Judith sat under a willow tree smoking a Dickens & Grant cigarette and reading 'The Times'. She was a ladybird, and very special. Judith had more spots than other ladybirds, so nobody liked her. She was elegant, had long black legs and wore nice sharp pink shoes. Like other ladybirds, Judith couldn't fly but really wished she could. She had too many spots to fly, and they were just too heavy. One day something happened which changed Judiths life forever.
A leopard passed her, crying. Judith peeped over her 'The Times' and saw him. She asked, "My dear, what is upsetting you so" and blew out a circle of smoke from her elegant cigarette. The leopard replied, "I don't know where to start". "From the beginning?" asked Judith, raising her only eyebrow. The leopard told Judith everything. His name was Douglas and he had just left school. He was bullied as he suffered terrible wind, which made him growl. He also got caught smoking in his den by another leopard who was bigger than him. The bigger leopard started a fire at the school and everyone blamed Douglas. They all told him that a leopard like him could never change his spots and refused to talk or play with him again. It was hard for Douglas. He was only 15 and he was gay, so also got bullied for wearing a kilt. As he told his story to Judith, she sympathised with him and offered Douglas a cigarette. "No thankyou, I'm a non smoker" he lied. The ladybird told the leopard about her spots and how much she wished they weren't too heavy. The two of them sat chatting and laughing together under the willow tree, until it became dark. The park was soon deserted and they realised they weren't even hungry. They had such a great time together.
Judith suddenly came up with a great idea, which would change both their lives for the best. "I know" she quipped, "what if your spots were lighter than mine? What if we were to swap spots?" She suddenly put on an American accent "You would be able to prove that you have changed your spots, and I may able to fly" She was getting excited now and carried away. "I could fly to the U.S of A, and will be loved by millions. You could work in the circus as a fancy leopard with spots of a ladybird, and fly while you chase". They both giggled and Judith winked.
Judith slowly took away some of Dougs spots, and he carefully removed some of Judiths with his long talons. They placed them all out on the grass and re arranged their existing ones to make some space. First Judith put her spots between Dougs own and decided they were nice. Doug then put his spots between Judiths and told her how magnificent they looked and gave her a kiss. "Now" said Doug, "Why don't you try and fly". Judith walked to a stone the size of a lemon and slowly climbed up it, being careful not to twist her ankle with her heels. "Here it goes" she shouted to Doug as she gently flapped her small red, spotty wings and glided through the air and brushed passed his ear. She landed on his nose. Doug looked at her and it made his eyes cross over. Judith laughed and flew back to the ground. "At last" she shouted with glee "I can fly like a real ladybird". Doug was tickled at how happy Judith was now. He walked up to a mirror, which was in the ladies toilet and saw how different he looked. "WOW" he shouted, "no one will even recognise me with these ladybird spots, I look so amazing. I shall do what you suggested, and work in a circus".
They were both happy, yet so sad. It was time to say goodbye. Both Judith and Doug had to be apart to start their new lives. "I will really miss you" wept Judith. "And I will miss you too" said Doug, itching his nose. Doug gave Judith a big cuddle and said goodbye. Doug then got a job with Billy Smart and was loved by the other leopards, and Judith flew to the U.S of A and got her print put in cement with the words "For Doug" underneath.

(If you enjoyed this story, you may also enjoy Williams Watch, Billys Wart, and Silver Purse)