Very Hungry Caterpillar

One sunny Sunday morning, a tiny egg resting on a leaf finally hatched under the warm sunlight. Pop! Out came a small, very hungry caterpillar. The moment the little caterpillar entered the world, its first instinct was to feed. Each day of the week, he ate more and more fruit, yet he still felt unsatisfied. Monday brought a crisp apple, but one wasn’t enough. Tuesday came, and he hungrily munched through two juicy pears—yet his tiny belly still growled.

By Wednesday, three ripe plums disappeared into his endless appetite. Thursday arrived, and he eagerly polished off four sweet strawberries, but the hunger lingered. Frustrated, on Saturday, he abandoned fruits altogether and indulged in a feast of junk food: one slice of chocolate cake, an ice cream cone, a pickle, a slice of Swiss cheese, a piece of salami, a lollipop, a slice of cherry pie, a sausage, a cupcake, and finally, a slice of watermelon. That night, his overeating left him with a terrible stomachache.

The next morning, Sunday arrived again. This time, the caterpillar chose a fresh green leaf—no other food seemed right. After eating it, he finally felt satisfied, and his hunger disappeared. By now, he was no longer a tiny caterpillar but a big, plump one.

Spinning a snug cocoon around his body, he rested in stillness for more than fourteen sunrises. At last, with a delicate push of newfound strength, he broke through—his wings unfurling, radiant and new, leaving his crawling self behind forever. His wings shimmered with vibrant colors, making him the most beautiful butterfly in the world.