A Parable by Ginny: Fuzzy and Wuzzy

Quiet down before GOD, be prayerful before him.
Don't bother with those who climb the ladder, who elbow their way to the top.
Psalm 37:7

Two baby caterpillars, Fuzzy and Wuzzy, were inching their way through the green grass of the meadow. As they neared a bright bed of flowers, the brilliant burst of a beautiful flying creature captured their attention. “Look, “squealed Fuzzy, “I wonder what that is.” “ I don’t know,” answered Wuzzy, “but I see hundreds of them up in the sky!” Both caterpillars strained to see the vibrant flashes of color as the creatures darted from blossom to blossom. “I want to be able to do that,” cried Fuzzy. “I bet if I could just climb up on one of those flowers, I would be beautiful too.” “Don’t be foolish, “said Wuzzy. “You are nothing like those fellows. You’ll just hurt yourself.”

But Fuzzy wouldn’t listen to her friend. She moved slowly along the ground until she reached the stem of a flower. As her gaze swept upward, she thought, “I just know that if I can touch the colors, I will be like those beautiful creatures I saw.” Fuzzy began climbing toward the colorful petals. As she climbed, she felt her skin becoming tight so she would push and push until she burst through the old skin. Instead of resting to allow her new soft skin to harden, Fuzzy continued her climb. When she finally reached the top of the flower, she latched onto the colorful petal expecting to transform into a beautiful soaring creature. At that moment, a hungry bird spotted Fuzzy, swooped down, and Fuzzy was no more.

Meanwhile, on the ground Wuzzy continued her slow journey through the meadow. She grew in size as she climbed trees to snack on leaves. Each time she burst through her old skin, she rested as her new soft skin hardened to a protective coat. Eventually, Wuzzy climbed a tree, transformed into a gray-brown chrysalis, and hung like a shriveled leaf from a branch. Time passed as Wuzzy waited. One warm day she awoke to a strange and wonderful sensation. She slowly wiggled out of her shell, clung to the branch with her new long legs, and fluttered her moist gossamer wings. The moistness dried in the breeze and the fluttering motion lifted her high about the garden. As she joyously darted from flower to flower, she briefly thought of her friend, Fuzzy. “I wonder if she is experiencing the joy I am feeling right now. I hope so.” Then she continued her delightful journey through the garden.

Father, Help us to remember that You have a plan for each life and that Your timing is perfect. Teach us not to rush ahead of You because that only leads to disappointment and failure. Slow us down so we do not miss the wonders You have prepared for each of us. Amen.

© 2006 by Ginny Holcombe. All rights reserved.