"Quietly and reluctantly, the mouth of the spring let go of the streamlet.

The tree shades cherish the breeze and the sunshine above water.

Just emerge from the pond a delicate lotus bud did.

Perching atop it, a dragonfly already enjoys the summer."

The poem was written by Yang Wanli, a famous Chinese poet during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 A.D.).

As one of the most popular pieces for Chinese preschoolers, "The Small Pond" is among numerous Chinese poems that praise the beauties and mysteries of nature.

The butterfly dragonfly perching atop the lotus is in the Libellulid family, the largest dragonfly family in the world.

It has a rather short body, but long, colored wings, especially the wide hind wings. It resembles to a butterfly, hence the "butterfly" in its name.

(Cover image via VCG.)

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