The Very Picky Caterpillar: a story by Isaac and Sarah

One morning a tiny caterpillar woke up inside an egg. He could only think of one thing. He was HUNGRY!

He looked around and couldn't see any way out. He thought to himself, "I guess I'll EAT my way out!" And so he did.

"Hmmm," he said. "That egg was not so tasty. I want to find something REALLY tasty to eat."

So he began to crawl around the garden where he hatched. He tasted turnips and munched on melons. He chewed on chives and sampled sorrel. "Tangy, but not quite what I was looking for." On he went.

He licked limes and ate asparagus. He was eating an eggplant when all of the sudden, out of the sky, KERPLOP!

The caterpillar was startled and curious about the big brown ball in front of him. He circled around and wondered to himself, "Could this be a giant egg? I will have to crack the shell to find out."

So he began to chew through the rough brown shell. It was tough and thick. He chewed and chewed and chewed.

Finally he took a bite and tasted something different. It was white and flaky. And it wasn't at all like turnips or melons, chives or sorrel. It wasn't like limes or asparagus or eggplant either. No, this taste was something entirely different. And it was entirely DELICIOUS!

"I love this!" exclaimed the caterpillar. "I wonder what it is?" Just then a butterfly flew by and landed on top of the big brown ball. "Maybe I'll ask him."

"Excuse me, please, but do you know, what is this delicious... thing?"

The butterfly smiled and chuckled. "Oh yes, I remember when I was a wee caterpillar your size, and I tasted my first coconut."

"Coconut?" repeated the caterpillar. "And what do you mean, when you were a caterpillar my size? You're a butterfly!"

"Oh sonny, life has many more beautiful discoveries in store for you. Take some advice from an old-timer like me. Enjoy every minute!"

"Well, I'm certainly enjoying this coconut," said the caterpillar. "I wonder what's next?"

And he couldn't wait to find out.

THE END