A chubby caterpillar was inching its way towards a large guava leaf, to find a suitable place to commence its rather long undisturbed sleep before its final phase in life. The caterpillar was blocked by three large spiders.
“You deal with it, leaving me.” The other two hurried after some other prey.
“My dear, caterpillar, my friends and I were on a hunting spree. They gave me the pleasure of having you for a meal”.
The caterpillar looked at the spider with pleading eyes. "My dear eight–footed friend, I know, that with one sting I would be your helpless prey. Sir, please spare me, I am on a mission.
“Alright you tell me. You people are a mystery. I have seen you hurrying somewhere. Then you disappear.“
The caterpillar arched itself and lifted its head.
“Sir, we live dangerous lives. We are always hunted, specially by birds. We have seen you build beautiful homes. We admire the way you carry your young. So protective.”
The spider was proud. “Thank you, friend. Now tell me something, where do you people disappear, after sometime. I have never seen dead caterpillars.”
“True, we are just a part of a cycle in a lifestyle, I am on my way to sleep. You will be surprised to see me when I wake up.”
The caterpillar froze. "Look, that bird is about to attack me. Maybe you too. Two with one dive!’’ The spider was quick.
"Climb on to my body, fast.”
The caterpillar struggled on to the spider’s body. The letter dashed into a crack on the bark of a tree. The bird dived but in vain.
“Thank you, my friend. You spotted the bird. Otherwise both of us would have been in its stomach.”
The two friends of the spider returned. “What? You are still with the caterpillar. We have had our fill.” Their friend told them what happened. The three felt concerned when the caterpillar suddenly became weak or faintish.
“Please my brother, I have to hurry to a shady place under a leaf.
I am going to sleep for a few days. Then it will be a big surprise to you all."
"We are going to watch over you. You can sleep on us. We can spin a nice cushion for you.” They took the very weak caterpillar to a place of his satisfaction.. "My sweet long-limbed brothers. A beautiful day. Let me crawl under you legs as a gesture of love. Now I’ll sleep. I beg do not disturb me, till I come out.” “Come out? From where?” “You just watch." The three spiders watched in awe as the caterpillar formed itself into a cocoon. Days passed.
Suddenly there were movements inside the cocoon, wriggles were observed. Then, to the amazement and joy of the spiders a beautiful multicoloured butterfly emerged. Groggy at first, fluttered its wings. Then went round and round the spiders.
“So this is what happens to the disappearing caterpillars. Wonderful." "Thank you. We have a responsible job. We fly from flower to flower for our food while doing so, we help the plants to produce their young.” “Beautiful, humans love you. They have special cages to keep you in the zoo. They hate us. They destroy our homes. We have done nothing to help others.”
“My dear, dear brothers. They have learnt never to give up by watching you rebuild your destroyed homes. And such beautifully constructed homes. They have a children’s hero, by your name.” “I know” interrupted one spider. “Spider man” – most of our friends living in the homes of humans enjoy it. We are proud of the show. Our name bearer does wonderful things to help good humans.”
“Brothers, I will take you to a large abandoned house, where there is plenty of food for you. Lovely flowers around it. Please follow me.” The butterfly flew low, over them to their new abode.
The house and the compound was full of butterflies and spiders.