Crissy’s Cocoon

Crissy the caterpillar wanted nothing more than to become a butterfly. 

She had been told by her parents many times that one day she would begin eating a lot, would build her cocoon, and before she knew it — she would emerge a big beautiful butterfly. 

There was only one problem. Crissy was afraid of the dark, and the thought of being trapped in a dark cocoon for so long scared her. 

JUST AS THE BUTTERFLIES said, she began eating more. Crissy became plumper and plumper. Everyone kept telling her it was almost time to cocoon — but Crissy kept putting it off because of how afraid she was. 

Her roost began calling her silly for being scared of the dark. Crissy’s parents began to worry for her. As she got bigger and bigger she drew the attention of more than just her fellow caterpillars and butterflies. Crissy’s parents had warned her about things like spiders and birds all her life — and unfortunately the plump and now very popular caterpillar drew the attention of a very hungry spider. The spider had been watching Crissy for some time. When Crissy wandered away from the others sad and embarrassed, the large spider clamored over to the plump caterpillar. 

“I KNOW WHAT WILL make you feel better.” The spider said from above Crissy perched on its web.

The caterpillar recoiled in fear. She remembered her parents' warnings about spiders, and felt deep in her stomach that she should run away as fast as she could.

Seeming to read Crissy’s thoughts, the spider quickly asserted, “Oh, no need to fear. We spiders are nothing like the butterflies have told you. They’re just trying to scare you. Only some of us are that way — and lucky for you I’m not one of them. Here.” The spider said as it tossed the caterpillar a delicious salad. “It truly will make you feel better.” 

The caterpillar was hungry all the time now. She decided to munch on the salad and hear out the spider. As she chewed on the delicious leaves the spider began to drool. 

The caterpillar then decided to trust the spider, she felt cared for and accepted by the spider. Everyone had begun to judge Crissy for how much she was eating and how long she was taking to cocoon — but the spider didn’t, she was kind. 

As Crissy ate she told the spider all about her troubles. How she was afraid of the dark but wanted to be a butterfly so badly. The spider listened closely. 

When Crissy finished explaining, the spider seemed to have a tear in her eye. She simply said, “I’m so sorry that you’re going through this. I like you just as you are, and I actually think you’re brave for being so true to yourself.” 

The caterpillar's heart leapt, and was very touched by the spider’s affection. “That may be the kindest thing I’ve ever heard,” said the caterpillar, “We butterflies have pegged you spiders way wrong.” 

“It’s understandable,” the spider replied, “big fangs, tons of eyes, spindly legs, sticky webs; it’s a whole thing — but what most bugs forget about is our big hearts.” 

The spider lifted up its big front legs to show the red hourglass underneath.

“I should probably be heading back. But thanks for today — thanks for listening,” Crissy expressed with utmost sincerity. She truly felt so much better. “And, thanks for the delicious salad!” 

“Of course,” the spider replied, “I’m always happy to be a listening ear. You’re welcome here anytime just as you are. And feel free to take some salad to go.” The spider said with a warm smile, as she tossed Crissy some more leaves. 

“I might just take you up on that,” Crissy said with a giggle. She collected her leaves and left with a warm heart.

CRISSY BEGAN VISITING THE spider more and more, and she got bigger and bigger as she ate the spider’s delicious salads. 

Crissy’s community of butterflies and caterpillars became increasingly concerned. Crissy eventually felt brave enough to tell them about her new friend. “Spiders are not like you say,” Crissy said indignantly, “she’s kind to me, and I can leave whenever I want. She’s not going to trap me in her webs. She just wants me to be happy. Unlike you, she loves me as I really am.”

The butterflies pleaded for the caterpillar to stop visiting the spider. But to no avail. The more they plead, the more Crissy felt unloved — and yearned for the company of her spider confident; her only safe place. 

LATER THAT DAY, CRISSY returned again to the spider. The spider could tell she was feeling down, “do you feel like eating today” the spider said respectfully. “You know it,” Crissy replied as she climbed up into the spider’s nest. She had begun feeling comfortable in the spider’s webs after so many visits — and they were decorated so nicely. 

“You would never hurt me would you?” The caterpillar said in pure earnest — her parents' warnings ringing in her ears. 

The spider with concern in her eyes said, “I think it’s time I tell you something, Crissy. I’m a lot more like you than you may know.

“You see, spider’s can grow wings too. All of my family decided to cocoon and become spiderflies. I decided to stay behind because I’m content not to fly. Honestly, I’m much happier in my relaxing hammock.

“I haven’t told you this, because I didn’t want you to feel like I was trying to convince you to not become a butterfly. I think butterflies are deliciously beautiful, and I respect your desires and wishes.”

This blew the little caterpillar’s mind! “I didn’t know spiders could grow wings!” the caterpillar blurted out.“That’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever heard!” She paused for a moment and thought about how much she wanted to be a butterfly, and how scared she was of the dark. She wished so sincerely that there was some other way for her to get what she wanted without having to confront her fears. “You said they needed to cocoon too to get wings? I hate that the only way to get wings is to make a cocoon!” 

“Well, that is the truth.” The spider said with trepidation. “Unfortunately, you still have your cocoon problem. But good news for you, we spiders are allowed to make out cocoons however we want.”

“How’s that? You mean I could make one that had light in it?!”

“You bet!” The spider said, “you could make one where you didn’t have to put your head in at all. You could see the light the whole time and never be trapped in the dark!” 

“That’s incredible! Why didn’t you tell me this earlier!?” The caterpillar said, filled with joy and hope. 

“Well .. because we spiders make our cocoons with our webs … and I didn’t want to scare you or make you think I was trying to trap and eat you or anything.” The spider hesitantly. 

“Well that’s just silly” the caterpillar said with a chuckle. “I’m not like other caterpillars and butterflies. The world isn’t black and white to me anymore. I know who you really are now, and I know that you would never do anything to hurt me.”

The spider put her legs on her heart to show how touched she was by Crissy’s kindness. Crissy continued, “I’ve never felt so loved by anyone — not even my parents — they just made me feel bad. And now that you’ve told me your story I finally have hope that I can be a butterfly. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had!” Crissy concluded as tears began brimming in her eyes, “and I’ve never even thanked you!” 

“And you’ll never have to.” The spider said with a smile. 

THE SPIDER AND THE caterpillar spent the rest of the day designing and talking about how wonderful Crissy’s cocoon would be. Crissy eventually decided spontaneously to just cocoon today; get it over with! She couldn’t wait any longer. Crissy thought about flying back home and showing her family how wrong they were and how beautiful she was. 

Eventually, Crissy got all wrapped up in the spider’s beautiful webs. And as promised, her cute little head stayed uncovered. 

As the last strands of web closed over the last of Crissy’s little legs — the spider threw back her head and laughed. “Thank you Crissy,” the spider said with a devious smile, “you will be the most delicious meal I’ve ever had.” 

Crissy gasped and realized she would not be returning home to her family as a big beautiful butterfly that night. Fear filled every part of the plump caterpillar. Crissy’s once beautiful and liberating cocoon of hope — she could now see was nothing but a trap. The last thing Crissy ever saw was the spider joyfully licking her big black fangs.