by A. Sc.

Created on: May 30, 2008   Last Updated: June 10, 2008

The King Of Caterpillars

It all started one warm summer when an infestation of caterpillars and bugs descended on the colorful gardens of some family friends, nicknamed "Mother And Father Nature." "Mother Nature" was not named such without reason, for she would die before ever using pesticides on her plants. But each day, more and more leaves were turning brown and all of her fresh berries were dropping limp to the ground.

The couple tried every natural remedy they could think of, ultimately to no avail. So "Father Nature" announced he had the perfect solution, but it would be two weeks before he could tell us what it was. After the mysterious two weeks were up, the couple invited most of the town to a huge picnic in their expansive gardens.

The food was fantastic and the drinks plentiful, but the bugs had done obvious damage to the plants. We kept asking what the solution would be, only to hear the reply "Later." When later finally came, "Father Nature" strolled out of his studio carrying something large covered with a sheet.

He walked over to the huge tree-stump in the middle of the yard, swept off the covering, and displayed his solution, an elaborate, five-foot tall, clay, bug castle. Four towers graced the sides of the creation, complete with windows and sloped floors to connect each level. The center building had two fancy balconies at the very top, and little windows all the way down.

The front door of the castle was decorated with a beautiful leaf motif, complete with a wooden bridge to go over the mini moat that circled the creation. There was even a courtyard with a tiny pond and matching benches

"Father Nature" then challenged all the children at the party to a contest. For every bug we found in the garden and returned to the castle, we'd get a piece of homemade hard candy. Screaming children spread all over the property, carefully snatching bugs from grass, leaves, and branches.

Big, fat, green caterpillars were dropped off right next to skinny brown ones. Round bugs with hard shells sat by long bugs with wings. Soon kids buzzing with sugar had cleared the yard of bugs and were collapsed in their parents arms. I believe I was one of them, since I woke the next morning in my bed.

We went to visit the "Nature" family that afternoon, toting along a camera to photograph the castle with. "Father Nature" was sitting next to his creation as we approached, dropping juicy green leaves into the castle courtyard. I joined him to ask why he had made the castle at all.

"Well little one" he replied, "I just figured the king of the caterpillars had returned home to rule his kingdom, only to find two giant humans living here. So out of respect for such obvious royalty, I decided to create a wonderful castle for the whole kingdom to come rejoice in. I figure if I feed them the best greens from our garden, they'll leave the rest of it alone."

My wide, young eyes filled with wonder at such a brilliant man, and I looked down into the castle to see how the residents fared. They all seemed healthy, happy, and content in their new home. As "Mother Nature" walked into the garden carrying lemonade, I rushed towards her, filled with youthful glee.

"Mother Nature, it worked didn't it? The king of the caterpillars just needed the right place to rule his kingdom!"

She smiled down at me, then glancing at her grinning husband she whispered in my ear, "Well, I don't know if it truly worked baby. But I do know the bugs held a secret meeting last night and elected "Father Nature" as the official court jester."

My memories have probably been a little altered due to my childish imagination, but I swear their gardens never went brown again.

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