THE CATERPILLAR HOSPITAL
by Anne McGrath, illustrations by Casey Taylor
The Caterpillar Hospital was published in The Caterpillar Issue 16 Spring 2017
I love insects, plain and simple, and built the caterpillar hospital for the stepped-on and squished, those with lopped off legs & severed antennas, including: flimsy-kneed crickets, bendy worms, ants, and daddy long-legs (who tend toward a generous nature). Life’s upward climb leaves bugs weary and broken, but here they’re pampered. Not allowed are: centipedes, black widows, stinkbugs, and anything terribly hairy. No negotiations. I’m the boss of the hospital, because I pick whom to save, and the boys are jealous of that. They tell me to set the bugs free, but I’m in the business of healing.
I fix up shoeboxes with soft, mossy rugs, mushroom chairs, and fresh flowers. I could just throw in dirt, but I don’t cut corners. I fill acorn halves with fresh water and juicy leaf morsels, and without the struggle to survive, insects grow big and strong. There’ve been a few demanding patients, especially Lola, the impressive Luna Moth, who acts uppity and thinks she doesn’t need my help. It’s true she’s rare, and therefore special, but I told her, as I added black walnut leaves in case she laid her eggs, you need patching-up, same as everyone else here, Lola.
I want to set the record straight, I’ve NEVER held any bug against her will or stepped on anyone to fill my beds; and, I ALWAYS ask permission before taking any bug, leaf, or stick. Never sure whose purpose might be greater than mine, I run on a steady supply of respect. I protect and comfort the sick, and rebel boys are mean to suggest otherwise. One of them threatened to take Lola, saying, you trapped her just like you did the lightening bugs, and we’re going to set her free. But, my bugs are happy. Why wouldn’t they be?
I got to thinking, maybe the boys are right, so I left the top off the box last night and hoped the bugs would stay. But, come morning, most of them were gone. Even Lola. I cried my eyes out. I was only trying to help, but now I’m leaving the top off for good, so everyone can come and go as they please. And guess what? Some of them are coming back. Even Lola came for a visit, but she seemed to love flying too much to stay. And that’s probably just how it should be.
