The Adventure of Cassandra Caterpillar

A terrible rumour was spreading throughout caterpillar colony on the great Ash tree, where Cassandra the caterpillar lived. While she was quietly munching on some leaves, she heard some of the other caterpillars talking about events on another ash tree nearby. It seems that something had happened to the whole colony. One by one each of the caterpillars became suddenly still. It wasn’t too long before the whole colony just stopped moving, and hung suspended from the branches of the tree.

Cassandra was worried, and when Cassandra worried she always thought of ways to get more information, like talking to the other animals of the meadow to see if they knew anything.

It happened one day that she was munching on some leaves near the bottom of the tree, when a very handsome hare hopped nearby to chew on some lovely long green grass.

“Excuse me, sir. Could I ask you a question?”

“Certainly!” replied the hare, “how may I help you?”

Cassandra told the hare about the rumour.

“Can’t say I noticed anything about the tree you are talking about.” said the hare. “You caterpillars stay pretty high up in the trees, so I often don’t see you.”

“I’ve never heard of something like it among hares.” the hare continued, “We just keep moving and growing. I think the best thing you can do is not to worry about the future, and do what we do: eat, make friends and enjoy life.”

“Thank you for your time.” Cassandra replied, and went back to munching and thinking.