I saw it all of a
sudden on the floor of my terrace garden as i went about my daily ritual of
watering the 100 odd pots i play fairy god mother to! Being used to chasing
butterflies or rather hopefully waiting for some pretty winged thing to come
visit the plants when i laze around in my terrace, this came as a surprise
because instead of perching on some flower, it was sittting blissfully on the
terrace ground sunbathing. As it remained still for a while, i initially
thought that it was hurt and then noticed a string of hair around it assuming that it might probably be entangled
in it. While wondering what to do and not wanting to miss this golden
opportunity i ran inside to get my camera not to mention feeling a little
guilty about wanting to take pics of a butterfly that was probably in pain or
on the verge death! It was in the same stationary position when i got back. One
of the prettiest guests to have come venturing into my garden, i couldn't help
but feel sad at the thought that it might be hurt.
So i edged a little
closer hoping to unentangle it, just when it took off and landed in a nearby
pile of dried leaves and caterpillar poop i had swept into a corner that
morning. Yes you heard it right, i have had the honor of growing 3 Oleander
Hawk Moth caterpillars the last couple of weeks much to the utter dismay of my
mother as it ate up all the flowers and leaves on the pink Oleander plant. But
that's what caterpillars do right? - Eat, eat and then eat a little more! I
strongly disagree with anyone who calls them ugly wriggly creatures because for
me just watching them grow seemed more of an ennobling experience. Although my
mom did have a fair point, i must say,
my heart did go out to the caterpillars as i knew the leaves would grow
back in time - but now that bit calls for a separate post!
