Caterpillar And Butterfly

Robert J. Morgan in PREACHER’S SOURCEBOOK OF CREATIVE SERMON ILLUSTRATIONS tells of the story…

Seems there was an enemy that had a beautiful princess trapped in his palace tower. The strong, handsome knight loved his princess so much and he wanted to do a surprise attack and free his princess from their enemy AND BRING HER HOME. But how could he tell her to be ready for the escape?

He decided to get some of his friends to help notify her of the escape so she would be ready. So the knight spoke to Mr. Caterpillar and asked Mr. Caterpillar to scale the wall of the palace tower and to warn the lady to be ready for the daring escape. Mr. Caterpillar complained and complained “DO I HAVE TO?” You mean I have to climb that high wall just to tell her you will be there Thursday morning at 5 am to set her free? So reluctantly Mr. Caterpillar began his climb up, up that steep wall. It was dark and cold as he began his ascent up the wall. Mr. Caterpillar fussed and fussed. Then the sun came out and the heat was so bad. Each step required effort. During the night the rain came down. Mr. Caterpillar griped and griped. Finally the next day Mr. Caterpillar made it to the window ledge. He was exhausted and felt unappreciated. Mr. Caterpillar yelled over to the lady, you are not nearly as pretty as I thought you would be? He asked, ARE YOU THE DAMSEL IN DISTRESS? The lady nodded, YES! Mr. Caterpillar thought I climbed all the way here for this? He complained to the lady in waiting. You mean I climbed all the way up here for this? He told the lady you will never know how hard a climb I had. I got hungry and so tired. After all his complaining and griping he told the lady: THE KNIGHT TOLD ME TO TELL YOU HE WOULD BE HERE THURSDAY MORNING AT 5 AM AND YOU BETTER BE UP AND WAITING FOR MY BOSS! DO YOU THINK YOU CAN REMEMBER THAT OR DO I NEED TO TELL YOU AGAIN? REPEAT AFTER ME: THURSDAY AT 5 AM! He was so hateful to the princess! He crawled down the tower wall complaining every inch of his journey.

To make sure the PRINCESS would be ready the Knight thought I will asked another friend to help me. So the Knight talked to MR. BUTTERFLY. Hey, friend would you tell PRINCESS I am coming to rescue her Thursday at 5 am. Make sure that she is ready for the rescue mission. Mr. Butterfly said: SURE, I WILL BE GLAD TO INFORM HER AND MAKE SURE SHE IS READY. So Mr. Butterfly caught the wind and started flying upward to her window. It rained a little but Mr. Butterfly kept flying upward. Later in the day a bird swooped over Mr. Butterfly to eat him but he just kept flying higher and higher. Mr. Butterfly landed on the window sill and saw how beautiful the PRINCESS WAS. He just admired her beauty. He whispered: HONEY, COME OVER HEAR I HAVE A MESSAGE FROM THE HANDSOME KNIGHT TO YOU, BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS. Mr. Butterfly flew over to her shoulder and kissed her cheek. Mr. Butterfly said: I HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR YOU, MY WHITE KNIGHT WILL BE HERE AT 5 AM IN THE MORNING TO SET YOU FREE AND YOU WILL HAPPILY EVER AFTER… Mr. Knight will be here at 5 am sharp. Please be ready. Knight really loves you so much.

The PRINCESS was so happy. She said: THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH MR. BUTTERFLY. YOU ARE SO SWEET. I WILL BE READY FOR MY LOVE WHEN HE COMES FOR ME. But Princess said: Let me asked you: WHY WAS MR. CATERPILLAR SO

MEAN AND RUDE? HE WAS SO DISAGREEABLE. Mr. Caterpillar brought me the same news as you did, but I felt so bad when he left!

Mr. Butterfly said: Oh, you mean Mr. Caterpillar? Don’t mind his disagreeable attitudes that is just the way he is. FOR YOU SEE I USED TO GRIPE AND COMPLAIN JUST AS HE DOES, BUT I HAD A TRANSFORMATION. I HAVE CHANGED. I LOVE THE KNIGHT. I LOVE TO BRING HIS MESSAGE TO YOU. SOON WE WILL ALL BE TOGETHER FOREVER.

What do you see when you look into the mirror?