How did it survive the lawnmower? How did I not see it the days before?

There under the oaks where I do warm-ups in the morning was a very thin blade of grass. Attached to it was a bright white fuzzy cocoon, and even at first glance, I could tell it was in motion. Over an hour later, it was in more vigorous motion, the butterfly struggling to get out. I was sorry to leave—I'd never witnessed this in the wild before. I thought I might see a birth.

Meanwhile, a big fuzzy caterpillar fell onto my bare arm. I reflexively shook it off before examining it up close. Wow! Bright red head, like a cherry lifesaver, with these amazing fronds coming out of it like a couple of peacock feathers. Its back had tufts shaped like little cushions—and then there was a flared tail of some sort. It looked like a miniature dragon float in a Chinese parade.

Then there was the more standard style caterpillar, very handsome with blue and grey markings like tracks down its back. I almost stepped on it. The odd thing was, it followed me. It was insistent about aiming for my shoe, so I moved. It changed direction and followed. So I tested it. Each time I’d change sides, the caterpillar would continue a few seconds in the old direction, pause, then turn around directly for my foot.

Keeping track of the caterpillars and cocoon made it hard to continue warmups. I didn’t want to crush anybody, so I took off. But I forgot my hoody and had to return, and there next to the jacket was another of the Chinese floats parading along the top of the fence.

Before leaving town, I checked on the progress of the budding butterfly. The cocoon was empty, with a great hole where the butterfly had found release...