Posted 8 years ago
SpiritBear
(813 items)
Last summer we had a number of caterpillars.
This was one of the last, as he was a late-bloomer.
In our front garden, his mother picked the Milkweed that overhung our pond (Monarchs lay eggs on the Milkweed plant.)
When he went to make his cocoon, it was right over the water.
I cut the leaf and gently walked the cocoon over to the porch.
I put it in the safe place seen in photo 2 and left it alone.
I one day walked out and saw him having hatched, so I took photos and left him again.
Later I found him on my porch, so I let him on my finger and put him on the nearest colorful flower to dry out his wings and maybe eat.
Later I found him in the driveway, crawling up the hose. I noticed a wrinkled wing and doubted I could do anything for him.
He was not able to fly, meaning he would surely die here in the small paradise of our front garden sheltered by the house.
So I put him back in the garden on a purple butterfly bush that was still blooming.
I walked out a couple days later and found that he died in the same pond he was born over.
He must have blew in or killed himself searching for water where the fish likely tore him apart as you see in the final picture, a ruined piece of wing floating in the still waters-- another tatter on a lily pad.
It depressed me a lot and still depresses me. But it happens every day and no one gives the unseen and unknown any thought. Nor had you given this one any thought before you read this. You'd have not given it any thought had not I taken photos and made the story known.
It's done to me, to you, to everyone who ever existed, is existing, and ever will exist. And existence can be quite depressing, can't it? So why do we despair when it comes time to no longer exist?
For this guy, and many other creatures, it ends what was a poor existence even surrounded by paradise in the life abounding of a simple garden.
So are there good things in the sad? Yes. We just have to know how to look at them. But had not I said all this, all you'd look at is a poor little butterfly. But I look at him as one spared much. Sometimes I get jealous.
Ooh! Great spirit in your writing! A lesson to keep in mind...
This is a reason why I believe in reincarnation, for humans, animals, plants, for everything.
Spirit, thank you for such a beautifully written and moving story. It does make one reflect on many things...I think what made you especially sad about the loss of this life is that you were its witness and an active participant, you cared and invested your love in this little life. And maybe because of you, he had and enjoyed this life, the sun and the flowers, however short it might have been, and didn't perceive it as poor existence at all. It's much worse when entire fields with milkweed are being mowed down and developed, and these butterflies don't even have a chance to be born. One year i didn't see a single monarch in my garden...So why do we despair when it comes time to no longer exist? Because for many people it means losing loved ones. You are an old soul, Spirit, and have a sensitive nature, and will probably always look for a meaning in everything. Look for a bright side of things, no matter how hard it may be sometimes.
Thank you, Lisa, i liked your comment, too :) The story, the way it was presented by Spirit, evokes so many thoughts, feelings and emotions that now i clearly see that this butterfly's life was lived for a reason ;)
Kyratango, thank you. I usually write in simple ways like this, add detailed description of certain parts, and add a moral to the story which is then explained.
Rucklzglass, we do have some control. The cocoon may have fallen into the pond in one of our winds (we're right next to Lake Michigan,) but I moved it and put it in the plant-holder and put a pot over that to hold it down. Still, his wing never developed well, which was not in my control. I had debated trying to 'fix' it, but decided I could only do damage to such a frail beauty.
Martika, a second chance would be nice. So many creatures are not able to ever truly enjoy life. But as a Bible-following Christian, I believe from descriptions in Revelation and the second way to get to Heaven (that any thing not able to decide Jesus for himself, usually told to parents who have lost a child, automatically goes to Heaven. I apply this also to animals,) that he is flying somewhere in God's Kingdom where he has been restored by the One Who made all things.
Anna, to be honest this was a second-thought type of post. I was going through old photos and near this one began to despair over some that brought back memories. This set of photos started out as a beautiful thing, but in a short time I saw what happened to him.
I long ago wrote a piece (not here) on what dragonflies can teach us. It was all gained from a kayaking experience, but I have no photos from it.
What state are you in? These mostly blanket the US.
Lisa, I would do more similar things if it weren't usually so personal.
Thank you all for commenting, reading, loving.
NY...You may find an interesting read a book by Susan Sontag "On Photography".
SpiritBear >>> You mentioned "second chance" ~ that's how I feel about June-chan, my granddaughter, because I wasn't always the understanding and loving father to my son, Brian, as I should have been, when he was with us in this life. Everyone says I spoil June. I can only smile and agree. Thank you for sharing your story and thoughts. ; )
My pleasure, Nevada.