What Oliver Said

"Resting and changing," Oliver said. "Inside that chrysalis, its body is slowly turning into something new — not all at once, but bit by bit, like a secret recipe."

"When it was a caterpillar, its job was to eat leaves and grow. When it's ready, it makes the chrysalis. Later, when the time is right, it will come out with wings — and sip sweet nectar from flowers with a long, curly tongue."

Bella's eyes went wide. "With wings? Like the fluttery ones that visit our roses?"

"Very like those," Oliver said. "Many start life as caterpillars, just like yours."

Bella stared at the chrysalis. "So it is not gone. It is busy becoming."

"Exactly," said Oliver. "And we must be gentle. No poking, no pulling it off the leaf. It needs time and peace."

"How long?" Bella asked.

"Patience," Oliver said. "Good things often take time."