Caterpillars. Green, brown. Fuzzy, smooth. Never gave them a second thought until last weekend-now they are an obsession in our household. What caused this metamorphosis?
Simple.
We encountered someone with a caterpillar passion. A contagious caterpillar passion. One that ignited our minds with an enduring curiosity.
All from a simple nature walk.
A nature walk that offered us the ability to form relations to the world around us.
“Education is the Science of Relations”; that is, that a child has natural relations with a vast number of things and thoughts: so we train him upon physical exercises, nature lore, handicrafts, science and art, and upon many living books, for we know that our business is not to teach him all about anything, but to help him to make valid as many as may be of––
“Those first-born affinities
“That fit our new existence to existing things.”
We attended a weekend nature event led by a State Park Naturalist who guided us on a caterpillar walk. His enthusiasm was contagious, his knowledge was inspiring. We looked above us, below us and learned to walk slowly. Hiding places were revealed (handrails are awesome spots by the way) and cameras held time in check so we could zoom into their world.
Magnificent creatures were revealed. Bright colors, fuzzy, strange shapes. A new world unfolded right before our eyes.
All as the result of a nature walk.
Honestly, I had no clue regarding species name or classification, but that didn’t stop our search. Treasures lay around us with the prize of discovery going to the one who called out in victory, “Found one!”
Yes, we found one. Not merely a caterpillar, but a newly found relation to the world around us. It doesn’t take a specialist to lead the way. It merely takes curiosity coupled with patience.
So GO!
Grab a pair of comfy shoes, stand under a tree (or near a handrail), let clouds pass over you and allow God’s creation to create a contagious curiosity in you!