The Caterpillar

The day is approaching dusk. The bright light is fading into the dark labyrinth of the night. Po heaves a deep sigh. It is not a sigh of relief. Po is burdened with his life.

As far as Po can remember, his life has never been easy at all. Well, people might eye Po and smile a little at the corners of their lips, if they somehow hear those words that Po never has uttered publicly. But, they are not to be blamed. Common people easily fall prey to the most common mistake of judging things by their appearances. 

Apparently, very few of the colony are as fat and sleek as Po. He can’t remember when he hatched out exactly from his egg. But he remembers very distinctly that he was the last one who hatched out on that leaf. All had hatched out before him. He was desperately looking for a place to start his share of the great feast of the peepul leaf he was on with his other mates, but in vain. The other ones in the mean time had got charged with some extra calories from the peepul leaves, whereas Po had to rely upon his share of the yolk only. Evidently, that was not enough to push through the other larger and fatter and stronger caterpillars to make a way for his own. His tiny body was there all alone to fight out a lost battle.

But what was inappropriate to fight the other caterpillars, came very useful to fight the wind blowing often around the tree. The wind easily caught the fat ones, and dispersed them at its freewill. Somehow, the wind acted foolishly, thought Po. Caterpillars never grow into trees, if dispersed, like seeds. Why the hell the wind was so keen on blowing them out again and again? Po is still to solve the mystery. However, this foolishness of the wind helped Po to gain some advantage in his battle of life that he thought had already been lost back then. The moment turned out to be quite lucky for him when he was gifted the security a comfortable edge of the leave he was on as the caterpillar munching there suddenly got blown away in the wind.

Did not he get his clings? Po still feels very uneasy today as he remembers the incident. Po had started munching the edge almost immediately as it was left by the previous one. However, the previous one was luckier than the poor fellow that fell below on the rock today. He was blown to another peepul leaf a little downwards. But the fellow today was not that lucky.

Po had soon started to grow as a caterpillar. The peepul leaves are plenty here. They are green and fresh too. As the tree is huge, it gives them shade too. Else, they would have found the sun too scorchy. But, life has never been all smooth. The place has a good number of birds who find the caterpillars very apt to feed their offsprings. They hunt the place every now and then this season. However, the peepul tree has been too kind for Po. He has gifted Po his leaves to grow, and cracks on the branches to avoid the wind, when it has been fierce; or the birds, when they have been hunting other caterpillars to feed their little ones.

Po had fed upon the peepul leaves voraciously for a good many days. Yes, in the process, he also had deprived the right of many new born who came after Po from some other egg colony. Sometimes, Po’s conscience reminded him of his first battle of life. But strangely, somehow the pricks were as volatile as wisps in the marsh. These late comers never got any consideration from Po for their share in the feast. Po never had guided them to the cracks of the tree either.

Po is feeling very stiff at his neck and body. The nutritious leaves has gifted him some extra fat. He slowly starts moving his head round, as if keen on doing a bit of exercise to melt the extra bit, and not to notice the world around him. He keeps his eyes closed. Po is trying to think. He is trying to see inside himself.

How did he survive the good many days? The wind never blew too hard on him, he thought. He had his crack on the bark of the old tree, too. He used his clings wisely… and yes, Po was ever cautious of the birds too. But still, he was not the cautious one alone. Po remembered the guy from another branch nearby who fell on the rock below today. For some unknown reason, he was fond of Po, and used to advise him at every opportune moment about the ways of the world. It was he who guided Po often on how to avoid the dark claws of death. And he was learned enough to teach many smart fellows, remembered Po. Still, he himself could not avoid his untimely death. 

What has Po done in his life? He has secured his life till now. Different people has helped him on his way at different times. Po will never forget the caterpillar who fell on the rock below today in his life. And the peepul tree? How can he forget such a friend of his? And why not the wind? Has he not been a bit partial about Po? Would Po have been able to fight him out if he had been keen on blowing Po out of his place? And, were not the birds helpful overlooking his extra fat every time they visited the tree? 

Po is feeling more stiffness in his body. He plans to move a little to stretch out his body, but can not. He tries to open his eyes, but for some unknown fear, he can not open his eyes. The stiffness is steadily growing into his body, reaching his mind. What is wrong with him?

Po tries to think. What has he done to repay his life? Well, he had faced his share of oddities. And he was able to make them even too. He had received much in his life, he had seen many in his life, and now he must pay back... Yes, he must… He must... Must...

Po does not remember how long he was meditating with his newly set aim. But he was keen to pay his life back, though he was not sure about the way. His keenness has done a marvel. Po suddenly has sensed a riot of colours. He is overwhelmed with the possibility. He is going to pay his life back with all the colours of the world. Po spreads his wings.

The wind murmurs. The peepul leaves rustle. Po flaps his wings to spread the colours throughout. The sun smiles to encourage Po.