It’s a short bug’s life for a butterfly

MY BEST friend’s ten-year-old grandson is fascinated by nature, bugs and tiny creatures. One day he found a chrysalis, which he nurtured and monitored carefully. Great interest in its wellbeing was taken by the rest of the family. To everyone’s joy, the big day eventually came when from the chrysalis emerged a beautiful and colourful butterfly. The boy’s bedroom window was opened and, with great trepidation, the creature was gently carried over before being let go with a flourish. Within a second a bird swooped past, caught the butterfly in its beak and swallowed it! Tears flowed. Here endeth the nature lesson . . .

Vivienne Murphy, Coventry.