Butterflies or Cockroaches

Aren't butterflies the most exquisite species on Earth?   Bright colors, large and little wings, and a general fluttering motion over the flowers. Although they don't look very exceptional as caterpillars, it takes a lot of suffering and work for a caterpillar to transform into a butterfly. However, how many of us truly appreciate butterflies? How many of us can relate to the suffering she endured during this transformation? It's possible that you and I are among the few people who care about Mother Nature, but trust me when I say that not everyone is the same. Rather than applauding with delight, some people frequently appear to be damaging butterflies. They want to show their power to this little creature. And yes, such low-minded people do exist.

It takes me back to a childhood occurrence. In the evenings, my mom and I would typically sit in our garden. We observed a truly ravenous caterpillar on one of the trees, consuming every inch of the leaf to fuel its development into the next stage. Time passed, and I visited the garden again to see how the caterpillar was turning into a pupa. For many days all I could notice was a brown ball with no eyes and head; Mom explained to me that it was a cocoon stage, and soon we would see a beautiful butterfly. I kept a close check on that ball. Days passed, and one day while cleaning my shelf I noticed some brown egg formations. "We'll have more butterflies in our house", I exclaimed with delight, but to my disappointment I came to know they were cockroach eggs. Now my life had two big tasks: one to monitor the cocoon outside in the garden and the other the cockroach eggs. Finally the day came when a tiny cockroach with big antennae arrived and started to crawl all over; I was too scared with that little tiny creature coming towards me. Immediately I pushed it out of the almirah with the help of my scale. NOw the wait was to see the butterfly. I waited and monitored it closely till the day I saw the cocoon break open to release the most beautiful butterfly. It was just mesmerizing to see the tiny, yellow-winged butterfly fly over our little garden. Days went by, and I was almost 6 by now. One day, while playing in the park, I saw a few notorious kids chasing the butterflies. They were holding the butterflies tightly in their fists, making their wings squeeze so tight that the colors of the wings were coming on their hands. They were suffocating the butterflies and stating, "mine has blue wings, and what colour does yours have?" To me it seems like a terrible game. As a six-year-old, I cried and ran back home. I was badly departed to think what pain that butterfly would have gone through. I wondered if there are more such people in the world who always try to crush the beautiful things, who always try to show their power over little creatures, or who just believe in this kind of bad stuff. The days went by, and things just went on and on. I was growing up, but that butterfly incident was deeply hidden somewhere in my heart. After a few years, while I was almost 9, I saw a few bunch of kids playing in the parking area, and then suddenly I heard them screaming. On going closer, I noticed there were three big cockroaches crawling from the drain towards them. All the kids just ran back screaming as if they encountered crocodiles. I don’t know why suddenly this cockroach incident brought that butterfly event back in my memory. I went home and told my mom about today as well as the years back incident, which I never mentioned to her. She made me sit and stated, "God made us all different to survive in different environments. A butterfly has to hover over flowers so it is really pretty like them, while a cockroach makes its way through drains and dark areas, so it is created to face all harshness like that. However, you ought to take a lesson from both of them: when you are surrounded by the most loving people and in the most comfortable setting, act like a butterfly, expand your wings, dance, and bring joy and beauty to the world. But simply become cockroaches whenever you encounter any difficult circumstances, dangerous surroundings, or anything that doesn't seem normal to you. And trust me when by this dual role switching you will be able to handle things easily. Sometimes it's necessary to display your large, bold eyes, hard wings, and long antennae in addition to your attractive side." I smiled and showed big eyes at the same time to show how I will be both in my life. She gave me the tightest hug and bravest lesson of life.

 And ever since then, I've been a butterfly, but if someone tries to bother me, I become a cockroach. The most important lesson here is to let the butterflies transform into cockroaches if necessary during your journey. And not to forget no matter how big or minor the occurrences, if you feel a little different, talk to your parents. They can always give you life-changing ideas and warmest hugs just like my mom did.