Where I am Today

~Part 4~

Each butterfly's wing is unique. They have their own pattern, color, and meaning. The butterfly is a strong, powerful spirit who resembles life and hope. Before a caterpillar changes into the elegant creature they face many challenges and obstacles. They need to break out of their shells before they reach their full potential and until then the caterpillar can run into many hardships.

Everyone was saying their goodbye's to summer as Autumn was just around the corner. You could tell by the light gentle, chilly breezes, and the colorfully leaves tumbling to the ground leaving the trees naked and bare. There was a soothing sound of the rain trickling down onto the ground creating their own little lullaby. The sun shone from behind the light gray clouds and the sound of birds singing their songs echoed from the trees. Beyond the forest was a open area covered with dozens of different varieties of flowers, and a large oak tree that stood tall and proudly. It's branches swayed in sync with the wind. Next to the great oak was a small lake where you feel the sense of relaxation and tranquility. It's crystal blue waters seemed to perfect. It all did.

Climbing across one of the branches that wasn't that high off the ground was a small beautiful blue and green caterpillar. He sang with birds as he made his way to the leaves for his evening snack. Caterpillar was a curious and daring little larva who would travel to any part of the tree and would not care of the dangers he would come face to face with. As he planted himself on the bright yellow leaf he heard a quiet mischievous laugh. He loomed over the leaf to see a red fox trucking towards the oak tree.

"Hello Fox!" Caterpillar greeting respectfully.

Fox glanced up to see the small Caterpillar up resting on a leaf. She smirked, imagining the idea of the poor, small, and weak bug falling to his death. Making his way back down the tree, Fox sat down in the soft green grass. She closes her eyes ignoring Caterpillar, and begins to lick her front left paw.

"Still a little pest are you?" she asked not paying attention to Caterpillar's struggles to getting back to the ground safely. Caterpillar stopped abruptly. "Let's face it, it's getting colder everyday. You still haven't made your nest thingie to turn into a butterfly." she put her paw on the ground and glanced up to Caterpillar who was on a large rock next to her.

"It's a cocoon." Caterpillar pointed out before letting out a sigh of loss hope.

He rethought what Fox has said to him and dreaded the thought, but she was right. Winters were harsh and there was no way he could survive this winter if he doesn't transform into a butterfly and fly south. He pondered the thought of why he hadn't built himself a cocoon yet. All of his brothers and sisters already had and gotten their wings. They were probably down south by now enjoying the beaming warm weather. Fox's laugh broke his train of thought.

"You know Fox? Within time I will get to where I need to be. You laugh at me because you insecure about something you don't have." he paused once he realized he now had the Fox's full attention. "When I get my wings, I will leave you. I will be warm down south and I will be safe. You will be left here to deal with the winter." he said trying to sound tough, but his voice cracked. The Fox cracked a smile.

"Good luck." is all she said before realizing it was getting dark. "See you tomorrow." she added sarcastically. She stood back up and walked out of the open field and leaving Caterpillar all alone.

That night, the Caterpillar replayed his and Fox's conversation in his head over and over again until he became not afraid anymore, but determined. He stayed up all night figuring out how he was going to build this cocoon until he decided he didn't need a plan. It should be natural to him. So with that, he built the silky covering around his small body. Once the sun began to peek over the forest trees he was finally done with his cocoon and he was really tired. With that he slept for two weeks, forteen days and fourteen nights. When the fifteenth day arrived and the sun peaked over the now completely yellow, red, and brown leaves, Caterpillar found himself awake. He yawned groggily. His eyes fluttered open and he began to poke his way out of his cocoon. The chilly air was a rush to him and the wind almost blew him off the branch. The Caterpillar halted and felt that something was different. His wings burst out with vibrant colors. The wings were a mix of yellow, green and blue.

"Oh my-" he gasped to himself.

He was no longer a Caterpillar, but now a butterfly. He couldn't believe it was finally happening. The new Butterfly flapped his wings a few times to get used to the feeling.

"I'm coming brothers, sisters." he gasped with joy and sprung up into the air and flapped as hard as he could.

He would have bursted off south right away, but something made him stop in his tracks. He saw Fox attempting to sit down on the now cold dead grass. Butterfly flew down to the grass, but never landed on the ground.

"What's wrong Fox?" Butterfly asked tilting his tiny head.

The Fox sniffled, "Wait, what's a butterfly like you still doing here?" she asked shocked.

"I'm heading south now. But I saw you upset-" Butterfly couldn't find anymore words to say.

"Wait, Caterpillar is that you?" Fox asked recognizing him from his bright colors. Butterfly nodded and smiled.

"You are leaving me now?" she looked down sadly.

At this time Butterfly frowned as well. Fox was going to be lonely and cold and with no friends. No matter how badly Fox had treated him in the past, Butterfly found himself to forgive Fox. Butterfly took a deep breath and smiled.

"It's okay, Fox. I'll be back next spring. But like you said I would die this winter. I have to go." he paused for a second.

"Good luck." The fox says and this time it was not with sarcasm or hatred. Fox meant it as a friend and someone who was genuinely worried for that friend. Butterfly smiled and was proud that he was patient with both his wings and the Fox.