THE CATERPILLAR'S PROPHECY 209 



gloom. He was convinced that nature would 

 do no more for the caterpillar than for him. 

 He no longer speculated vainly concerning the 

 beginning or end of life. He was content with 

 his coarse fare, even as the caterpillar had 

 been, being assured that when it no longer was 

 sufficient to sustain him, the invisible fairies 

 that prepared the casket for the caterpillar 

 would do as much for him, and he would lie 

 quietly down for his long sleep. Since the 

 caterpillar could not foresee so wonderful a 

 change as would make it a butterfly, neither 

 could he foresee what might be in store for 

 him. He had faith to believe that the same 

 invisible Hand that had transformed the sleep- 

 ing caterpillar would prepare him for such a 

 state as would bring the fullest development 

 to his dormant powers. 



From a lowly and insignificant creature he 

 had learned what the greatest philosophers 

 among mankind had failed to teach him, and 

 he now had faith to believe that some good 

 purpose was being served by the lowliest lives. 

 As a child cannot comprehend the thoughts of 

 a man, no more can a man understand the 

 designs of his Creator. Both must be con- 

 tent to await their normal growth. 



