A Caterpillar's Story

I was born on a periwinkle plant. Mum left me shortly after giving birth to me. At least she was wise to hide her babies under these green leaves. I was on my own since the day I came out of the egg shell. Dad? What is that? I don't even know who my mum is. Am I an orphan?

My job is to eat and grow. Then I will hide inside a chrysalis for sometime before I can metamorphosize into a beautiful butterfly. I know you don't like me because I look slimy and uurgh and I eat away much of your beloved plants too. Just be patient though. If you don't let me eat, how can I grow to become the butterfly that you all like? Who will pollinate your flowers so that they can develop into the fruits that you love to eat?

If you spray strong pesticides on your plants, I will be killed too, along with the bugs, aphids and other garden pests.

Do you see the lovely bright eyespot on top of my head. I have 2 of them and they are not my eyes. They are for me to look cute so that some kind souls like you may decide to spare my life. These spots also make me look more like a monster to scare away my foolish predators. Actually, I have 6 pairs of eyes.

If I live for a short time only in your garden, do you still want me or will you kill me?

This is my entry for Think Green Thursday #16. My grateful thanks to Rambling Woods for making this possible. To view what others around the world have to say or to participate, visit here.