September 23, 2013
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Raising the Consciousness
What just unfolded before me touched my heart. I was sitting on the front porch, eating a banana and drinking a glass of cold water while watching my kids ride their bikes in our driveway and cul-de-sac. They suddenly stopped because they saw a caterpillar. A small, white, fuzzy one was in our driveway. Isaiah got really close to it. Ava, afraid he was going to squish it, shouted, "don't kill it! It's a gentle creature, we should do something, it doesn't belong in the driveway." They discussed, between the two of them, what to do. And settled on using a leaf to gently scoop it up and put it, still on the leaf, in a green bush.
This proved problematic because there was a bit of a breeze. It took a long time, but finally, together, they gently got it on the leaf and as Ava began carrying it to the chosen bush, the caterpillar crawled off. He landed in some dirt. According to them, he crawled into some of the dirt. This made them sad, but Ava said, "Isaiah, I don't think he wants us to put him in the bush. Maybe he has a family." Isaiah concurred, "yeah, he just want his family." They left him alone and went back to their bikes.
For all of 30 seconds. Because Isaiah saw another caterpillar. This time they already had a plan and they went ahead with it. When they deposited the caterpillar on the leaf into the green bush, they were so excited! "We saved a creature! Now he can grow into a butterfly with all the nutrients he needs! Doesn't it feel good to save a life, Isaiah?" Ava said.
They walked inside discussing how important all living creatures are and how we should protect them. All.
And I feel like maybe I'm doing a good job afterall.
Comments (2)
That is quite beautiful. It makes me so sad when children at work squash insects and things without a second thought. That being said I myself would probably have gone inside and locked the door. I have a caterpillar phobia.
That's just wonderful. For them to have such an appreciation for something as small as a caterpillar says a lot about what you've taught them about compassion, caring and the value of life. Bravo mom!
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