Cosmo the caterpillar wasn't like the other caterpillars. While they happily munched on leaves, Cosmo would gaze up at the birds soaring through the sky. He didn't want to crawl; he wanted to *fly*! "It's silly," chuckled Beatrice, a plump green caterpillar. "Caterpillars crawl. Birds fly. That's just how it is."
Cosmo felt a little sad, but he didn't give up on his dream. Every day, he’d stretch his little legs and wiggle as high as he could on the tallest leaves. He’d flap his sides, pretending they were wings. It didn’t work, of course, but he kept trying. He knew, deep down, that something amazing could happen if he just believed.
Old Man Tiber, the wisest caterpillar in the garden, noticed Cosmo’s efforts. He slowly crawled over to Cosmo. “You have a big dream, little one,” he said kindly. “But flying isn’t about flapping. It’s about *changing*. It takes time, and a lot of patience.”
Cosmo didn’t quite understand. “Changing?” he asked. Old Man Tiber smiled. “You’ll see. Just keep being you, and keep believing. And when the time is right, you’ll build a cozy little home around yourself. It’s called a chrysalis.”
Cosmo followed Old Man Tiber’s advice. He ate lots of yummy leaves, and when he felt sleepy, he started to spin a silky, shimmering chrysalis around himself. It was dark and quiet inside, and sometimes Cosmo felt a little scared. He remembered Beatrice’s words and almost wished he’d just stayed a caterpillar.
But then he remembered Old Man Tiber’s words: *patience* and *belief*. He closed his eyes and imagined himself soaring through the sky. Days turned into nights, and slowly, something incredible began to happen. He felt a tingling sensation, and a strange stretching feeling.
Finally, the chrysalis began to crack. With a final push, Cosmo emerged… but he wasn’t a caterpillar anymore! He was a beautiful butterfly, with wings of bright orange and yellow. He wiggled his wings, and they felt strong and new.
He took a deep breath and pushed off from the branch. He soared! He looped and twirled, higher and higher, just like he’d always dreamed. Beatrice, watching from below, gasped. “Cosmo! You did it! You really can fly!”
Cosmo smiled. He flew down and gently landed beside Beatrice. “It took patience, and believing in myself,” he said. “And a little bit of change.” He then flew off into the sunset, a happy butterfly, proving that even the smallest creatures can achieve their biggest dreams. Now close your eyes, little one, and dream of all the amazing things *you* can become.