Lessons for Life From Caterpillars

1. Eat Well:

There cannot be better teachers to teach about eating than caterpillars. They know that they have to grow up into beautiful insects like butterflies or moths and therefore chew up all the plant parts gluttonously and grow well quickly. People should learn to have good food habits.

2. Prepare for Future:

Caterpillars are in just a transitional phase of metamorphosis, which comprises of egg-caterpillar-pupa-insect. The egg and pupa are dormant stages whereas the caterpillar and insect are active, in the sense of locomotion. Without being a good caterpillar, there is no promise for a great butterfly or moth. So, it is important to invest for future today for a better tomorrow.

3. Today’s Ugliness is Tomorrow’s Beauty:

The ugly slithering caterpillar is tomorrow’s awesome moth or butterfly. What if the student does not do well in history, if they are bright in math; or the vice versa. Everyone will emerge into a beautiful person tomorrow, only with self-confidence! It is not nice nor wise to shatter someone’s confidence or trust in themselves.

4. Never Underestimate Self:

Just like caterpillars, who are prime source of food for many birds never underestimates or doubts itself. Think of an one-millimeter egg growing into a beautiful butterfly which is about 130 millimeter wide butterfly! It is not possible without the wisdom and efforts of the little caterpillar.

5. Be Useful to the World:

Everyone has to serve others to make the world a better place to live. Without the availability of caterpillars, almost all the insectivorous birds would vanish! Without caterpillar’s saliva, many world economies depending on silk would not have flourished. Be the one who serves the world without demanding repayment. When one does not demand payback, the results are humongous on the good side!

6. Always Pay Back:

Farmers hate caterpillars that chew up the stems and buds of plants. However, they love the butterflies and moths that help the same plants in pollination. So, it is wise on the caterpillar part to pay back to the plants for their growth. Similarly, when in contact with the society, the society must benefit more than us! For a start, every day, before leaving office, check if you have contributed at least 10 times the worth of your payday. If the answer is no, then the workday is incomplete!

7. Have Purpose:

Even the tiniest of the caterpillar has the goal of creating silk and becoming a pupa. How come humans of this huge size and power live life without goals!

8. Life is Beautiful:

Even if you are the prime source of protein rich food for many of your neighbors, one cannot see a caterpillar sad or stressed out that it would not eat or render itself amazing colors and shapes! Whatever happens, life is always beautiful for those who are willing to see the beauty through their souls!

9. Develop Armory:

Being low in the food chain, caterpillars have lots of amazing arsenal to protect themselves from danger. Some jump out using their thin silk, while some come in well camouflaged colors, and so on. It is important to insure life so that when in danger, the insurance pays off!

10. Be Proactive to Change:

Change is inevitable! Rather than complaining that the beautiful and strong mouth parts would be lost if caterpillar metamorphoses into a butterfly, it is wise to think of the freedom that would be achieved by flying around freely! Be proactive, accept and prepare for change, even before it hits the horizon!

Life is like a river, continuously flowing and changing forever. Humans who accept this and embrace change would be successful.