Just before noon yesterday, I noticed a weird creature moving slowly through the grass in the garden. 😧
I initially believed it to be only a length of rope. But then I had the startling thought, “What if it’s a snake?” 😬
Curiosity compelled me to carefully approach for a closer look. 😳
However, as I got closer and the shape became more distinct… Panic hit me like a tsunami! 😨
I was literally rendered dumbfounded by what I learned next.
I was strolling peacefully in my yard when I noticed something odd. Someone had left a lengthy, looping shape on the ground, resembling a rope. At first, I thought it was just a bit of string, but I was intrigued.
However, as I approached, I was suddenly struck with the chilling idea, “What if it’s a snake?”
My heart began to race. What appeared innocuous a moment ago suddenly felt sinister.
I snatched up my phone and took a quick photo, caught between interest and panic.
My heart pounding, I started to approach, one step at a time. Every step seemed heavy, and the strain rose with every meter I traveled.What if it was actually harmful?It made me shiver to think of it.
I was shocked when I finally got near enough to see the intricacies. My expectations were quite different from what I actually observed.
It was not a snake, nor was it a rope.
There was a living column in front of me, a sluggish but well-organized march of perhaps 150 caterpillars!
Yes, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, so I counted them one by one.
They were closely grouped and moving in a straight line, perhaps under the direction of an unseen leader. It was an intriguing and perplexing sight. I never in a million years thought that such an event could occur, much less in my own backyard.
Where were they heading? Why were there so many?
I keep thinking about these questions.
Caterpillars are said to migrate in bunches to ward off predators. Others think it makes it easier for them to find food. Perhaps it’s just an energy-saving tactic: those in the front clear the path so that others can follow them more easily.
However, from what location did they originate?
Above all, where were they heading?
