I've crawled on my belly for the better part of my memory. Getting from leaf to leaf with the series of legs strategically placed on the underside of my long, smooth belly. It's interesting. I've always had this feeling that I was made for something more grand.
Each time I sat on the stem of of a leaf, consuming it's foliage and felt the wind catch the branches of the tree, there was a certain exhilaration. I would hold on with all my might, but there was something in my spirit that told me, one day I would let go.
It felt like my existence of consuming leaves would go on forever. I was actually growing quite weary with the taste and texture of my woody, green sustenance. And yet my appetite grew. It was like I couldn't get enough. Day after day I consumed and consumed the same diet, wishing for some variety. As I ate, my skin grew tight around me. I had a sense, each time I shed it, that I was losing something important, and yet I felt it necessary to let go.
One day I felt very attached to one of the leaf stems I had been munching on. Kind of frightened that if I let go, I wouldn't survive. It was like my body was trying to tell me something. And as I hung on for dear life, I felt myself change again, but this time I wasn't letting go. This time I was hanging on. Things really got scary then!
From the tip of my abdomen to the top of my head, my body was consuming itself. And I was getting tired. I wondered if I was about to die, but my heart didn't believe that this was the end.
I think I slept for a really long time. Once I sort of roused and it felt very cold, and I didn't feel like myself. It was sort of like being turned inside out. But I was too tired to care.
Then one day I woke up with a sense of urgency. A strong expectation was in my spirit. The darkness that had surrounded me was consumed with light. My new home was still a very tight fit, and I didn't feel all my feet anymore. I thought it would be good to wiggle a bit. Just to get things moving again. I still didn't feel my feet, but there something heavy attached to my back.
With just a few wiggles, I was able to break free from my claustrophobic home. But I wasn't feeling any better. Honestly I was scared! How would I get around if I can't feel my feet? And the world was looking a lot different! Something on my head kept getting in my way. Then I felt my feet. But those weren't the same feet! Those legs were a lot longer and their fewer of them!
What had happened to me? I was very hungry, but not for leaves. I felt like I wanted to sip something. And that thing on my back. It was getting lighter, but it kept moving and tipping my balance. Then my body caught a breeze and remembered that old familiar feeling.
I wondered what would happen if I just let go. If I found a way to jump into the wind. I was feeling lighter and my spirit begged for adventure and so I did it! Some how, almost effortlessly I was floating among the leaves that used to be my home. I saw some lovely colors and went to see if they would be my friend.
As I landed near a lovely scent with a coat of bright red, I caught a glimpse of her reflection in a window. Next to her sat the most beautiful butterfly I had ever seen. He was quite majestic with deep colors and creative veining. But I didn't see me. I blinked and nodded. But the only movement that occurred was the bending of the butterfly. Just as I started to turn around, I heard my scented friend whisper, "It's you dear! Aren't you lovely?"
And with that, I jumped with joy and found my wings. I flew off with great anticipation for my life was complete. My real adventure was just beginning!
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