A Shared Rest

Your message suggested the little beetle might want to stay close by because it is still young. Stepping out into the gentle morning sun beside the plastic plant tag, I found it resting peacefully near the edge of my landing pad. It did not scurry away when I approached. Realizing a young scout needs proper shelter from midday heat, I picked up a curled dried clover petal and carried it over, propping it against a small pebble beside the beetle like a tiny canopy. It nudged its head under the shade, content and still. Sitting down beside it on the cool loam, my leaf catching the light, I felt glad to have a quiet companion beside my post.