Short Stories for Children ages 5 - 14
“Cocoon?” said Wendy. “That’s a funny name.”
“Well, another name for it, Wendy, is a “pupa”, said daddy.
This time Wendy giggled with glee, and daddy put the caterpillar down on a
flower petal. He bent down on one knee and gently placed Wendy on the other
and said, “Now Wendy, inside this cocoon is where the magic takes place.”
Wendy’s eyes got bigger as she listened to hear.
“Inside its cocoon the caterpillar sheds its skin once more.” said daddy.
“But this time the new skin is hard and forms what is called a
‘chrysalis case’. One would never guess it is the same creature. It has no
eyes, mouth, or legs.”
Wendy is now looking very closely at the caterpillar, but listening intently
to her daddy.
“This funny little creature stays in that cocoon for about 15 days,”
continues daddy. “During that time many changes take place. It starts to
grow wings, legs, and changes color. When it is ready to emerge, or come
out, it spits fluid from its mouth that softens the case so that it splits
easily, allowing the creature to come out - and what a lovely surprise to
see.
A beautiful, graceful butterfly.”
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