Bella the Butterfly and the Big Discovery: A Story About Confidence and Beauty Within
Once upon a time, in a sun-dappled meadow lived a family of butterflies – Papa Flutterby, with wings the color of a summer sky, Mama Gossamer, her wings shimmering like moonlight, and their two energetic caterpillars, Bella and Finn. Bella, adorned with soft black and orange stripes, dreamed of having the most beautiful wings in the meadow. Finn, a plump caterpillar with a green speckled coat, loved munching on juicy leaves and exploring the tall grass.
One breezy morning, Bella emerged from her chrysalis, her wings a magnificent blend of orange and black stripes. She fluttered excitedly, marveling at her reflection in a dewdrop. ‘‘Oh, I’m so beautiful!’’ she exclaimed, filled with pride.
Nearby, Finn was still a caterpillar, patiently munching on a leaf. Bella landed beside him, eager to show off her dazzling wings. ‘‘Finn, Finn, look at me!’’ she cried, fluttering her wings excitedly. ‘‘Aren’t they the most beautiful wings you’ve ever seen?’’
Finn paused in his munching and looked up at his sister. He saw the vibrant colors and complimented his sister. ‘‘They are very pretty Bella,’’ he said honestly. ‘‘But remember, Mama Gossamer always says beauty comes from both inside and out.’’
Bella scoffed. ‘‘What do you know about beauty, Finn? You’re just a boring green caterpillar!’’
Finn wasn’t hurt by Bella’s words; he simply knew she was wrong. He appreciated himself just the way he was. Moreover, he was actually confident and thought he was quite an awesome butterfly! You see, while most caterpillars just waited to become butterflies as soon as possible, Finn very much enjoyed his caterpillar days while aspiring to become a good butterfly one day.
Later that day, a strong wind swept through the meadow, whipping up dust and scattering leaves. Bella, with her large but delicate wings, struggled to
stay aloft. She landed clumsily on a large dandelion, tears welling up in her eyes.
Just then, a small, brown butterfly landed beside her. Its wings weren’t the most colorful, but it had a gentle smile on its face.
‘‘Are you alright?’’ the butterfly asked kindly.
Bella sniffled. ‘‘The wind is too strong,’’ she choked out. ‘‘I can’t fly!’’
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The story discusses the importance of beauty within. Can you think of a character from a TV show or book who looks beautiful on the outside
but isn’t very kind or is even a villain? (This question encourages readers to analyze characters, consider how appearances could be deceiving, and
consider how a character’s actions define them.)