Bella's Question

Oliver opened one eye. "Ah, Bella. What is the matter?"

"That little stripy creature was here," Bella said, pointing with her nose. "It was eating this leaf. Now it's gone. And there's this smooth green thing hanging underneath — like a tiny bag."

She tilted her head. "Did it crawl away? Is it hiding inside? Is it… sleeping?"

Oliver moved slowly toward the leaf and looked. "It did not run away," he said gently.

Bella sat in the grass beside him. "Then where is it? And what is that green thing?"

"That green case," Oliver said, "is something the caterpillar made when it was ready to stop munching. Your friend is still here — we just can't see it the same way anymore."

Bella frowned, not angry — just puzzled. "So it's inside there? Doing what?"