A Wiggly Worm Gets His Wings

I loved teaching little kids — kindergartners and first graders, which I did for many years. They are inquisitive, funny, and they still love their teacher! (that is always a plus!). This is such an important time when you help them to love school, so they will develop self-confidence to someday spread their wings and fly. I still stay in touch with many of my former students, and now they even have kids of their own! They have “flown” to do amazing things, and I am so very proud of them!

We always loved to learn big words in first grade. One of these was metamorphosis. Just saying the word is fun, isn’t it? I explained to the kids how a caterpillar or worm will wrap themselves into a chrysalis or cocoon, take a “nap,” and wake up as a butterfly or moth. They will completely change from a crawling creature into something with wings that can fly. (Yes, I know that is simplified, but we read a book that explained it in more detail.)

Our Own Pet Worm

A few weeks later, a little girl brought in a pint-sized jar with a little worm crawling on a tiny branch inside. There were leaves and drops of water inside with several holes her mom had poked into the lid. We could tell the little worm was in the process of making its cocoon.

Of course, the kids were fascinated. And it was a great science lesson after all. Every time we went from one subject to another, they had to run and check on our new little “pet” they named Mr. Wiggles. Once it was fully in its cocoon, they watched for a few days but lost interest as it stopped moving. They would check on Mr. Wiggles when they came in every morning, but that was all.

Now the jar this little fella was in (I don’t know how to tell the sex of a worm, mind you) was big enough for the cocoon, but I had no idea what kind of moth or butterfly would emerge. Would its wings fit or be too big? About four weeks went by, and the cocoon started moving around. It was obvious Mr. Wiggles was waking up!

Mr. Wiggles Gets His Wings!

The kids thought he was struggling to get out of the cocoon. They were upset and begged me to help him. I explained that he had to struggle like that so his wings would get big and strong. If we helped him, he would not be able to fly. Our little friend worked all day and was still not completely free of the cocoon. It was fascinating, but so tough for the kids to be patient. Then it was time for them to go home.

Ok, fast-forward about two hours, and I was still working at school. The moth fully emerged from the cocoon and was much larger than I expected! It was beautiful, and with a wingspan of close to four inches! It moved its wings back and forth, but it was obvious that the jar was now too small.

A Wing Problem!

I called down to Jan, our computer teacher, who is an expert on all things that fly. She came to my room, and we tried to match Mr. Wiggles to photos online. We think he was a Polyphemus moth that had what looks like eyes on its wings. (Here is a video about them. They are stunning! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKQ0FFeWHw4).

Jan said if we want the moth to live, we really need to release it as soon as possible. I knew the kids would be heartbroken, but I would not want them to come in the next day to see a dead moth. We took lots of photos, hoping that would help.

Wings Are Made For Flying — Fast!

We then carefully carried the jar to an open area behind our school with lots of trees. I opened the jar and the moth crawled out on my finger. He flapped his wings several times and looked at me. It seemed like he didn’t want to go anywhere and was just going to stay put. I moved over to a small tree, and he finally crawled onto a branch.  He flapped his wings several more times. We said, “Ok, buddy! Fly! Fly!” And he did!

We watched as he flew gracefully toward the high row of trees behind the school right as a very large black crow came swooping down! I started screaming and yelling at the crow, jumping up and down and waving my arms, and telling Mr. Wiggles to “Hurry! Hurry!” I’d like to think he made it to the trees safely. It was quite a traumatic scene; one to which I will never know the outcome. Nature is nature after all. The end. (but hopefully it wasn’t for Mr. Wiggles).

PS. The next day I told the kids that Mr. Wiggles needed to fly, and we had to let him go. I left out the part about the bird.

The Moral of Our Story

Is there a moral to this story? Is there a biblical application? Well, we know with Jesus in our lives we are also completely changed. In fact, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” That kind of fits.

Any other lessons? Well, we have to always be on our guard against Satan. Right? In 1 Peter 5:8 it says, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion (or a big black crow?), seeking someone to devour.” Maybe….

I know that may be stretching it a bit. Sometimes you just have to have a story to make you smile, don’t you? Have a wonderful day, my dear!

Prayer:

Dear Father: Thank you for your beautiful world. We sometimes take the little things for granted, but you never do. Not one sparrow falls without your notice. Nor does one moth fly without you knowing where it lands. And if you care that much about the little things, how much more do you care about us? Help us to never forget how cherished we are! In Jesus’ name, AMEN.