There aren't many things that can make an adult gasp at the pure majesty and wonder of it, but a caterpillar turning into a butterfly is one of those things, and it happened to me just this morning.
I was awoken bright and early by the kids whooping with joy that the chrysalis had finally hatched and we now had a dishevelled butterfly. This was a huge relief as I was convinced there was a malfunction at the metamorphosis stage and whatever went in to the cocoon was now dead. I wasn't looking forward to explaining this to the kids.
I couldn't believe it when I saw it. How did this happen? A long green noodle did a load of poos, stuck itself to the inside of a Tuppaware box with silk, went hard, didn't move, eat or drink for 2 weeks, then pops out as a giant black-winged butterfly. Now, I've read The Very Hungry Caterpillar so I figured I'm pretty keyed up on the science of pupation, but seeing it upfront genuinely blew me away. It's magic. There are no other words for it. It's now out on the balcony drying and unfurling its wings. I'm looking at it right now from my desk. Excuse the dead plant. I guess I'm note of a botanist than a horticulturalist!
I'll leave you with this song by Coldplay, as it seems fitting. Fly well, little buddy.
TOP FACT: About 240 species of butterfly can be found in Hong Kong.