Once upon a time, in the continent of Europe. There lived a plain Gypsy moth named Perdita. Perdita was a lonely moth who envied the butterflies. The moths, particularly the male moths, would often come out during the daytime. And come back, her friend Ferdinand would always come to her and talk about all the things he'd done. Seeing the humans, getting the food and pollinating. But the stuff she was always more interested in from hearing from her friend was about the butterflies. Those similar colorful and beautiful counterparts.
Perdita was quite smart for a moth, always curious about everything, always learning and willing to explore the world around her. It was especially rare for a female moth. Usually, female moths would rarely go out, especially in the daytime. Normal moths would usually go out nocturnally, while their male moths did the work. The female moths would rarely even leave the cocoon and would always stay next to it. Their only purpose was to reproduce and die. That was the motive for all life. To reproduce and survive. But she was more ambitious than that, she wanted more. The others never understood why.
Normally, whenever she'd interact with the other moths, she'd usually be kind and talkative. In her caterpillar days, she'd talk nonstop about her interests and the things she thought of. This would often upset the surrounding caterpillars, as they were not used to this, despite her politeness and how brilliant Perdita was. She'd frequently show her art, only to be met with silence and laughter.
At the end of the day, she was left out. Especially because of the fact she'd frequently travel outside her Cocoon, something the rest of them wouldn't normally do. It was nearly impossible for her to ever fit in. However, the one thing that would bring them all together, was how much they idolized the butterflies. At first, Perdita never understood, but once she came out, she understood at first sight. Wandering through mountains, passing by rivers, hovering in forests, gliding by cities, the butterflies were free, connected, vibrant, and beautiful. They all talked with each other and got along well. And it was something only Perdita would ever dream of.
At that moment, Perdita was ashamed of her own culture, her own species. At that moment, she wanted not just to be friends with them, she wanted to BE them.
One day, while talking with Ferdinand, she talked about the butterflies. And how she wanted to be with them, how she wanted to BE them.
"Ferdinand." she began, "Have you been talking to the butterflies lately?"
"No, but I'd often listen to them. Their conversations, what they talked about. Should we, moths, even talk to them?"
"Who cares what those stupid moths think? I want to talk with those butterflies."
"Stupid moths? But you are a moth."
"Well, today is the day I can become superior."
"What!? You can't!"
"But they're like me..."
"Perdita! But they're nothing like you! Don't waste your time over them!"
"I don't care, I'll do it. And I'll stop associating with you stupid moths."
And so Perdita set off, flying away from her colony and flying off to explore the world around her.
Perdita flew through the air and the sky of Europe. Flying through the plains, cities, trees, towns, mountains, villages, skyscrapers, lakes, rivers, seas, everywhere.
And soon enough, Perdita encountered the Butterflies. The very people whom she wanted to be with, and the very people who she wanted to become.
It was her chance to BE with them! Her chance to BECOME them!
Those people who stood out, who got more recognition, who were better and more peaceful. More like her, better in every single way.
So she got out and spoke to them, in all her glory and confidence.
"Hi! I'm Perdita! What are your names?"
When she greeted them, she was only met with awkward silence from the butterflies in front of her.
"Do you know this girl?" Whispered one of the Purple shot Coppers to a Peacock Butterfly.
"No? Who is she? Who does she think she is?" She whispered back.
