Fair Feels Good

This gem of a book by Trina Paulus inspires me every time I set aside the fifteen minutes to read it. The simple story describes the journey of Stripe - a caterpillar - who eats and eats for the first weeks of his life, until he gets smart and realizes there must be more to life, and off he goes to find it.

He comes across a giant pillar reaching far into the clouds - and then realizes its a “pillar of caterpillars” who are all trying to get to the top - with much excitement he decides to join them!

He piles in at the bottom, and starts climbing. He enjoys being with the caterpillars and likes the friendly chit-chat. He meets Yellow, a pretty caterpillar with a sweet nature, and they climb together, and fall in love.

But Stripe soon realizes he will never get to the top without more effort. He leaves Yellow behind, and climbs with all his might. He and Yellow have a fight, causing Stripe of focus all his might on climbing.

“No more fellow caterpillars on Stripe’s pile–they became obstacles which he turned into steps and opportunities. This single-minded approach really helped and Stripe felt he was getting much higher.”

He might be getting nearer to the top, but he still does not know why he needs to be there so desperately. And then the climax of the drama:

“Stripe avoided Yellow as much as possible, but one day there she was, blocking the only way up. ‘Well, I guess it’s you or me,’ he said, and stepped squarely on her head. Something in the way Yellow looked at him made him feel just awful about himself. Like: no matter what is up there - it just isn’t worth it.”

Yellow leaves the pillar with a broken heart. Stripe follows her, but soon returns to the pillar without Yellow to resume his quest to reach the top. This time with even more determination.

“Stripe didn’t seem just ‘disciplined’ to others - he seemed ruthless. Even among climbers he was special. He didn’t think he was against anybody. He was just doing what he had to if he was to get to the top. ‘Don’t blame ME if you don’t succeed! It’s a tough life. Just make up your mind,’ he would have said had any caterpillar complained.”

Stripe climbs and climbs. Then one day, he was eventually so close to his goal of being at the top, and he suddenly realizes:

” ‘We can FLY! We can Become Butterflies! There’s nothing at the top and it doesn’t matter!’ As he heard his own message he realized how he had misread the instinct to get high. To get to the ‘top’ he must fly, not climb. Stripe looked at each caterpillar inebriated with joy that there could be a butterfly inside.”

Of course, with the happy ending, Stripe and Yellow find each other, turn into butterflies and live happily ever after. While we, the readers, are left to re-evaluate our lives. Its a gently reminder to know our own hearts, follow our callings and become our true butterflies. Even if it means going against the grain to achieve it.

Trina sums up the motto with her personal message:

“My thanks to everyone all over the world who has helped me believe in the butterfly. This is the tale of a caterpillar who has trouble becoming what he really is. It’s like myself–like us.
Love, Trina”

And remember,

“Without butterflies the world would soon have few flowers.”