The caterpillar slowly inched his way up the skinny stalk. You couldn’t tell by his stride, but he was on a mission! At the top of a branch was a huge canopy, a bright green, broad leaf with thin red lines coursing throughout. Pushing and pushing the little guy wiggled up and down closer. He was so hungry, he could only think of how wonderful the plant would taste and how good it would feel to have a full belly.
Carmie dreamed of the day he would find his Mrs Caterpillar. He hoped to settle down beneath the shady canopies and one day have some little larval. It was all he ever really desired, a loving mate and playful children.Day after day passed and as he did his daily work. He daydreamed of one day finally sprouting wings and being able to fly. Surely, there had to be so much more in the land. He sipped cool water that came from the morning dew and as far open as his tiny jaws would go, he gobbled up his dinner. It wasn’t long before he met his mate, one morning at a puddle, where the rain had just fallen. He found her to be fascinating. She had patterns on her skin that he had never seen before (kind of like this new plant) and she had a way of talking with him that melted his sweet little insect heart. The two were married in a quiet ceremony. Life was good with so much wonderful promise.
As the afternoon sun poured down upon the leaves of the jungle, Celeste noticed that Carmie had stopped moving up the branch. She scampered up behind him and spoke to him softly…”Carmie…are you okay? Can I bring you some water from below?” Carmie said nothing and did not move. Mrs. Caterpillar was now very concerned. She wiggled down the branch as fast as she could, calling for Carmie’s best friend, Caney. Finally she reached his place. “Caney!” she called, with great urgency. Repeatedly she called out for him. It seemed like a million minutes had passed before Caney appeared.
Caney and the Mrs. moved as fast as they could to Carmie. Up, up, up the skinny branch to their friend, but Caney could find no pulse. By this time, others had arrived to lend a hand to carry Carmie safely to the ground. His eyes were closed , his heartbeat silent. Later that evening they held a memorial for the bright, ambitious insect. Everyone took turns speaking softly and lovingly to Celeste, hugging her gently. Two days later, another Mrs. could be heard calling for help. Celeste recognized the voice and hurried to her friend’s covering only to find Celestes’ hubby still, and his eyes closed. Soon after, the elders of the Caterpillars gathered to discuss the odd events of these two magnificent creatures. “Why do you think they have died?” “Was it from natural causes, or could it have been something else?” Just then, Jonathan the caterpillar, a young energetic lad, came crashing through the leaves from above, landing with a thud on the ground, right in the center of the group. This was becoming too much to bear as they soon realized he too was not moving.
This had now become a grave matter. Jonathan’s family and friends hurried to their loved one. Surrounding him they wept. Andrew, a very wise older caterpillar, scratched his head, and kept looking back and forth at the sky above him. Celeste wondered what he could be thinking about. “What is it Andrew, tell us!” Andrew walked confidently to the center of the group and then exhaled, beginning his explanation with great gentleness.” Ladies and gentlemen, I believe I know what happened. All three caterpillars had one thing in common. They each ate from that new, bright green leaf”.
One young caterpillar remarked, “Well, yes, of course…Mr Carmie would stop by to chat a while. Having just come from dinner, he was so enthusiastic about this new plant that he found to eat. He was such a convincing salesman! He would weave a story that left no room for debate. He used words to describe the taste that we have never heard before! This new food supply would enable him to spin a lovely silk cocoon. He was so looking forward to unfolding his new beautiful wings, and providing for his wife and children”. The other two, Jonathan and Brian joined Carmie the next time he went to the plant. It all seemed very cool. What looked so attractive and had promised so much, had stolen the life of these creatures right from underneath them.
Celeste and Priscilla were now alone and very sad in the days that followed. Their hopes to blossom and spread their wings and fly, and their strong desires for offspring seemed long gone. The other caterpillars rejected them, somehow blaming them for the demise of their spouses. Months went by and Celeste and Prissy became close friends. They did finally emerge transformed with big, beautiful bright wings and flittering about as they pleased, all over the kingdom, drinking nectar from any flower they desired. They were daily reminded of their loss seeing the scar over their hearts, and yet they found new strength to continue pursuing all the possibilities of the kingdom.
Authors note:
What looks so beautiful and promises so much, we must be careful to think carefully and slowly before partaking in it. What appears helpful may actually be poisoning you, stealing your dreams and breaking your loved ones hearts. That ‘thing’ or person you think you need or love so much might in fact be the very thing that will end your life. If you were to ask yourself…”What am I ‘taking in’ that could be actually be hurting me?” If you give yourself permission to look at yourself earnestly, it can change your life for the better. So much better. You deserve it and your loved ones deserve it.
Run my friend! Run as fast as you can, away from that thing or person, as fast as you can and go where you believe you will find help. It could be a caring friend, it could be woman’s shelter, it could be a drug addiction recovery center. Wherever it is, run…do not walk. When you are alone, talk to God. His arms are open wide, no matter how dirty or bad you feel, He accepts you just as you are. He ‘truly’ loves you and is an ever present help in time of trouble. He’s done everything necessary to transform your life. Call out to Jesus and He will show you the Way. Go quickly now… your life IS worth saving…you are loved..hurry now, before your eyes close and your body is still.
heartpeace 