They are just butterflies, you can't keep them forever. How would you like it, if I locked you in your room and didn't let you out?
They need to explore the world. You need to set them free.
You don't own them. They are a living thing. Your job was to look after them until they grew up and could look after themselves. You did so well. All 10 of your caterpillars have made it into butterflies. That is amazing. It is time for them to leave you now. If you are lucky they may come back and visit you. It is time to let them go and have adventures of their own.
And so we both shed a tear. Big man for the butterflies he had cared for and me because I knew I would need to convince myself of this one day when I have to let my butterflies explore the world. Fly high little butterflies.
And to both our joy, one of the butterflies did come back briefly to say thanks!
gorgous!
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely post - words and pictures! Well done on growing those caterpillars into butterflies!
ReplyDeleteAmazing...what a great magic moment x
ReplyDeleteGreat photo's lovely post xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post and gorgeous pics. I thought it might be tricky to say goodbye.....time for a dog?!
ReplyDeleteNoooooooooo
DeleteThanks for sharing and it's so true about our own butterflies one day(but thankfully not just yet!) x
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post and a beautiful analogy xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story Louise. How incredible to see 10 caterpillars turn into butterflies. Must have been tough to say goodbye. Amazing photos, especially like the close-up. Thank you for linking up with #whatsthestory
ReplyDeleteahh - that's lovely!
ReplyDeleteahh how lovely is that!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely is this post...how amazing as well to watch caterpillars grow into butterflies and then be able to set them free. Was it a kit?
ReplyDeleteYes it's the insect lore one. Not cheap but worth every penny
DeleteGorgeous post!! I used to have frogsporn as a kid, i loved watching them swim around and grow legs before turning into little frogs and releasing them!
ReplyDeleteFound you through whatsthestory
WTTP - The little lady with a baby!
Ah yes we had that too - they generally ate each other though!
DeleteSuch a lovely post, well done for taking such care of them.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful - your gorgeous boy did a great job looking after them!
ReplyDeleteI love this post, and something close to my heart #magicmoments
ReplyDeleteThank you all for the lovely comments - we loved our butterfly garden!
ReplyDeleteWow such a great thing to do, how long did you have to wait before they hatched out?
ReplyDeleteOnly a week. Took a week to grow and go into their chrysalis and then a week til they were butterflies. Really interesting.
DeleteThis is a lovely post. You've inspired me to do this too - can't believe I've never thought of this - after the 8 billion times I've read The Hungry Caterpillar!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I used to watch caterpillars when I was little - this post brought a lot of good distant memories :-) x
ReplyDeleteOh bless them, I LOVE butterflies (post coming up later in the week!) there are so many here. I can completely understand why it was a bit sad. Thank you for linking to PoCoLo x
ReplyDelete