“Don’t you ever get tired of always running about?” asked the firefly.

“I’d really like to rest, Ben. But I also like to find my place first...where I could be good at something...”

“Well, if you say so,” replied the firefly.

Just then, they saw a caterpillar trying to crawl on one of the leaves.

“Hello, Mr. Caterpillar!” the boy said.

“Well, hello to you, too. I just hope something good happens today,” sighed the caterpillar.

“Well, why not?” inquired the firefly.

“I think I’m getting older,” the caterpillar said. “Everyday, I seem to be moving a lot slower than usual. As you can also see, I was born without legs. That makes it harder for me to move about. Soon, I may not even be able to move to the next left when I need to eat.”

“But think of the bright side, Mr. Caterpillar. I’ve heard that caterpillars like you become butterflies one day. When that happens, you can move about as far as you please!” encouraged the boy.

“I’ve heard of that, too. But if I’m ever going to become a butterfly, I must grow wings. Every day, however, I’m getting heavier and slower. I can’t see any sign that I will soon be growing wings. How could I keep on believing that I’d really be a butterfly? I just want to give up,” said the butterfly in despair.

“I see. Sometimes I also feel like giving up,” the little boy said. “But if I give up now, I’m never going to find what I’m looking for. And if you give up now, you’d never become a butterfly. How could you turn into one if you give up now? If you give up now, you’d stop eating, and when you stop eating, you’d stop growing, and when you stop growing, you’d never grow your wings. Even if you can’t see any proof right now, you must believe. Sometimes, you must believe first before you can see!”

“I hope I could, little boy,” said the caterpillar.

“You can!” the boy exclaimed. “If you want, we could help carry you to the other leaves when you get really heavy and tired.”

“You’d do that for me?” asked the caterpillar.

“Yes, we will,” assured the boy.

“Oh, thank you very much!” replied the caterpillar.

Every day since then, the boy helped the caterpillar move from one leaf to another so that he wouldn’t starve while waiting to grow his wings. Indeed, the caterpillar forgot his worries and soon believed he may truly become a butterfly. One day, however, the caterpillar slept longer than usual. In fact, he slept for days and became so still that the boy thought he already died!

“Don’t be so sad, little boy,” said the firefly, trying to comfort his friend. “At least you were able to help him when he was still alive.”

“Yes, but...but I wish I saw him become a butterfly!” cried the boy. “Don’t all caterpillars become butterflies?”

“Don’t blame yourself. We all believed he would become a butterfly...it’s just that...”

“It’s just that he did not become what he was supposed to be! And now I’m afraid–I’m afraid I’m never going to find out who I should be.”

Just then, the most colorful butterfly flew about them and landed upon the shoulder of the boy.

“My friend, don’t cry. I’m here again–your caterpillar friend!”

The boy almost couldn’t believe his eyes. The caterpillar was alive! He became what he was supposed to be–the most colorful butterfly the boy has ever seen!

“When you thought I was asleep, I was growing my wings. When you thought I almost died, I was given a new life! Thank you, little boy. From now on, I won’t be asking you anymore to carry me from leaf to leaf. Now I can fly wherever I want to go. Till me meet again!” And the butterfly with the most colorful pair of wings flew from one glorious garden to the next. He spread his wings and he flew to lands he never even thought he could possibly see.