Bella the Bunny by Lily Small Page B

voice wailed. “I’m not beautiful at all. Look at me!”
    Something flew out of the flower, zoomed toward Bella, and landed on her nose. Bella squinted to see what was there.

    It was a tiny ladybug! She had a tiny frown on her face.
    â€œWhy didn’t you listen to me?” the ladybug whispered. “Why couldn’t you leave me in there?”
    â€œI’m really sorry.” Bella’s ears flopped down over her face, the way they always did when she felt upset. “I … I thought it was the flower talking.”
    â€œBut flowers don’t talk!” the ladybug exclaimed.
    â€œI know, but…” Now Bella frowned. “What were you doing hiding inside a bluebell bud?” she asked.
    The ladybug looked sad. “I was hiding from Insect Sports Day.”
    â€œWhat? But why?” Bella asked. “Sports Day is fun. I’m going to see it with my friend Carla.”
    The ladybug flew down from Bella’s nose and landed on top of the bluebell in front of her.
    â€œHow can I go when I look like this?”
    Bella stared at the ladybug. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “You look all right to me.”
    The ladybug sighed. “How many spots can you see?”
    Bella peered closely. The little insect was as red and shiny as a juicy apple. Right in the middle of her back was a single black spot.
    â€œOh!” Bella said. “You have only one spot.”
    The ladybug’s eyes filled with tears. “Exactly! How can I go to Sports Day with just one spot? I’ll look stupid!”
    â€œIt’s a nice spot,” Bella said.
    The ladybug shook her head. “Proper ladybugs have lots of spots. I’m the only ladybug I know with just one. My family knows I’m different. They love me all the same. I don’t even mind when my friends call me One-Spot. But”—the ladybug stopped to catch her breath—“if I go to Sports Day, all the insects in Misty Wood will see me, and they’ll laugh.” The ladybug’s lip trembled. Her eyes were bright with tears.

    â€œDon’t be sad,” Bella said.
    â€œHow can I not be sad?” the ladybug replied.
    Bella’s violet eyes lit up. “I know! I’ll help you find some more spots.”
    The ladybug looked confused. “How will you do that?”
    â€œHmm. Let me think.” Bella crouched down and leaned her head to one side to help her brain work better. She wiggled her nose—sometimes that helped her think. Suddenly, her whiskers twitched, and she hopped in the air.
    â€œWe need a song! I never do anything without a song.”
    Bella hopped and skipped around the little insect. Then she started to sing, thumping her paws on the ground to keep the rhythm.
    This ladybug needs some spots.
    Hoppity, hoppity, hop!
    We’re going to find lots and lots.
    Hoppity, hoppity, hop!
    Hopping here and hopping there,
    Hopping, bopping everywhere!
    She’ll be happy when she’s got
    LOTS AND LOTS OF SPOTS!

    â€œHow was that?” Bella asked, giving an extra-bouncy hop as she finished singing. But there was no reply.
    The ladybug had vanished!

 
    CHAPTER THREE
    Wanted: Spots!
    â€œDon’t worry, I’m up here!” a little voice cried from high in the air.
    Bella peered into the sky.
    The ladybug zoomed down past her nose. “Wheeee!” she squealed, whizzing up again and making a big circle in the air.
    â€œWow! Loop-the-loops!” Bella cried, sitting up on her hind legs to watch as the tiny insect whizzed around again.
    â€œI always do loops when I’m happy,” said the ladybug, swooping down to rest on a bluebell stem. “I’m so excited you’re going to help me. Thank you!”
    â€œYou’re welcome. I’m excited, too! By the way, my name is Bella.”

    â€œI’m Lexi!” said the ladybug.
    â€œIt’s lovely to meet you, Lexi. Right. Let’s get started,”