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One Day, a small precocious boy sat watching a butterfly's cocoon. An opening appeared in the cocoon
and the small boy watched for the butterfly to emerge. He sat patiently for a long time, which was
difficult for him. For several hours the butterfly struggled to force its tiny body trough that little hole.
Then, it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it
could not go further.

So, the little boy decided to help the butterfly. He took the cocoon into his hands and began to enlarge
the opening. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a withered body and tiny shriveled wings.

The boy continued to watch because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would open, enlarge,
and expand enough to be able to sport the butterfly’s body and become firm.

Neither happened. In fact the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a withered body
and shriveled wings. It was never able to fly.

What the little boy, in his impatience and his goodwill, did not understand was that the restricting
cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were nature’s way
of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly onto its wins so that it would be ready for flight once it
achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Revolted by the crippled butterfly, the small boy crushed it under his foot. As he did so, an old man
wearing a red rob and having a long white beard approached from the woods where he had seen this
event take place. The small boy was frightened by the old man who looked more withered than the
butterfly. As the boy turned to run, the old man spoke softly these reassuring words:

"Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in life. If we are allowed to go through life without any
obstacles, it will cripple us. We will not be as strong as we could have been. Never be able to fly."

Realizing he had nothing to fear from the old man and recognizing his holy appearance now, the small
boy begged the old man for forgiveness and asked for his blessing. The old man welcomed the small boy
upon his lap and began to teach in the following manner: "Remember these proverbs:"

        "I asked for Strength . . . and I was given difficulties to make me strong."
        "I asked for Wisdom . . . and I was given problems to solve."
        "I asked for Prosperity . . . and I was given a brain and brawn to work."
        "I asked for Courage . . . and I was given obstacles to overcome."
        "I asked for Love . . . and I was given troubled people to help."
        "I asked for Favors . . . and I was given opportunities."
        "I received nothing I wanted . . . but I received everything I needed."

"You must remember to be independent. Live life without fear. Confront all obstacles. And know that
you can overcome them," the old man said, returning to the woods.

As the old man departed, he left behind a wiser, stronger, less precocious little boy.



                                                ©2016 Su Chang-Wu [All Rights Reserved]
NEW REVIEWS:  No one can teach quite like Su Chang. Her stories are always filled with compassion
and spirituality mixed with wisdom and philosophy in such a delightful blend of knowledge.  Thank God
for Websites like LMI that offer outlets for imagination, enjoyment and writings such as hers.
*****__Jean Ann Morgan.

I love the way Su Chang always begins her stories with an old fashioned "Once Upon . . ." I love
her messages and her willingness to be free with her wisdom. She is a great teacher that one should
read again and again. I do. I hope you will too*****__Michelle Banda.

I have learned that Su Chang always provides thoughtful messages for us. And this lesson is truly
unique. How wonderful to be reminded of the teachings of the "appointed" who  offered truer, purer
examples of how to live better lives. Thank you Su Chang for reminding us of who we are and,
consequently, how we must live our lives *****__Sonya Cast-Sun.
                                              "A Butterfly's Lesson"
                                                                       By Su Chang-Wu
                                                                            Friday, August 19, 2016
                                                                         Rated "G" by the Author.
                                                              Know that you can overcome all.