`` I 've been watching dragonflies , and I read about them in Dan 's book , and I 'll try and tell you what I remember . There 's lots of them flying round on the pond , all blue , with big eyes , and sort of lace wings , very pretty . I caught one , and looked at him , and I think he was the handsomest insect I ever saw . They catch littler creatures than they are to eat , and have a queer kind of hook thing that folds up when they ai n't hunting . It likes the sunshine , and dances round all day . Let me see ! what else was there to tell about ? Oh , I know ! The eggs are laid in the water , and go down to the bottom , and are hatched in the mud . Little ugly things come out of 'em ; I ca n't say the name , but they are brown , and keep having new skins , and getting bigger and bigger . Only think ! it takes them two years to be a dragonfly ! Now this is the curiousest part of it , so you listen tight , for I do n't believe you know it . When it is ready it knows somehow , and the ugly , grubby thing climbs up out of the water on a flag or a bulrush , and bursts open its back . '' `` Come , I do n't believe that , '' said Tommy , who was not an observant boy , and really thought Dick was `` making up . '' `` It does burst open its back , do n't it ? '' and Dick appealed to Mr. Bhaer , who nodded a very decided affirmative , to the little speaker 's great satisfaction . `` Well , out comes the dragonfly , all whole , and he sits in the sun sort of coming alive , you know ; and he gets strong , and then he spreads his pretty wings , and flies away up in the air , and never is a grub any more . That 's all I know ; but I shall watch and try to see him do it , for I think it 's splendid to turn into a beautiful dragonfly , do n't you ? '' Dick had told his story well , and , when he described the flight of the new-born insect , had waved his hands , and looked up as if he saw , and wanted to follow it .
Something in his face suggested to the minds of the elder listeners the thought that some XXXXX little Dick would have his wish , and after years of helplessness and pain would climb up into the sun some happy day , and , leaving his poor little body behind him , find a new lovely shape in a fairer world than this .
Bhaer Dan Dick Tommy bulrush day dragonflies dragonfly littler years