The Butterflies of Rhodes

In Rhodes there is a valley. It’s called the “Valley of the Butterflies”.

The first time we visited there was seven years ago. We didn’t have a good time.

Sure enough, it was beautiful. But there we no butterflies to be found. “Oh, said the guard at the entrance. You just missed them. They were here last week. There were millions. The season is over.” They still charged admission.

Did I mention that it was beautiful? There was running water, shade, and a rare secluded beauty. But no butterflies. We were disappointed.

Well, perhaps I exaggerated. There were butterflies. Lots of butterflies. They were on sale at the tourist kiosk.

But to paraphrase my favorite line from the movie Madagascar, “Not a very lively bunch, the butterflies.”

We visited the Valley of Butterflies in Rhodes again last month. Little had changed. There were still no butterflies. “Oh, said the guard at the entrance. You came too early. They will be here next week. The season has not begun. There will be millions of them.” They still charged admission.

But this time we were not disappointed. We enjoyed the shade on a hot summer day. We saw other animals. We loved every moment.  We had not expected to see any butterflies.

I discovered the secret of the butterflies’ flight in a worn sign on the site. It turns out that humans have driven them away. Nevertheless, the story remains. The folks in the valley and the tourism industry continue to perpetuate the myth.

But we know better.

But I learned an important lesson about life that day. As my Father used to say, “Expect nothing and you will never be disappointed.”

I say “If you don’t expect to see the butterflies in the Valley of the Butterflies, even a couple of moths on the outhouse walls will get you excited.”

And they did.

Cover photo: John Zaker / USFWS