The wind could be heard coming up from the creek at the bottom of the garden.
Norman the caterpillar looked about the garden plants.
They started to sway as the wind got stronger, then all of a sudden he found himself on the ground.
He had fallen off the hibiscus tree branch that had been his home for the past four weeks.
He lay still as the storm raged about him dropping leaves all over his small body.
Then, like it began, the wind stopped.
It was morning as he moved his small body from under the leaves, looked about and wondered how he had managed not to get swept away during the storm.
The quietness of the rain forest where Norman lived was shattered by noise.
Then there were voices that he had not heard before.
He lifted his small body and moved his head up and looking across the field ahead of him he could see what appeared to be a small child calling out.
Then the noise stopped.
Andrew be careful of the small animals that live in the lawn the young girl called out.
Oh Cherie, there are not any animals in this lawn.
Andrew then started the motor mower up again.
Stop called Cherie, please Stop. Andrew looked at her, stopped the mower and then went inside.
Norman was watching all this activity from the edge of the forest.
What a nice girl he thought I would really like to get to know her.
The sun finally started to disappear late in the afternoon.
Ah thought Norman, I will now go and see if I can meet this young girl.
He then started the slow crawl over the back lawn up to her house.
It was early morning the next day by the time he made it to the path way that went right around the house.
He slowly crawled around along the path looking for signs of a bedroom that could be the little girl’s room. Just as he was about to give up he noticed bright pink curtains tied up with a pretty bow.
This must be it he said to himself.
Slowly he crawled up the wall to the window ledge.
Peering in he noticed the room had a small dressing table in one corner, lots of dolls sitting in the chair next to it and then tucked up in the bed was the little girl he recognized as outside. Her blonde long hair covering her face and her blanket pulled up to her chin.
Norman smiled, but how would he get inside the room.
Looking around he noticed a small opening, the window was not shut properly.
Squeezing though the small crack he managed to force his way in, then slowly down the curtain he crawled.
His feet touched the carpet and then across the room he crawled, then up the side of the dressing table.
Once on top Norman could see all around the room. On the dressing table were the girls brush and hand
mirror and in the corner a box which was half open.
Norman crawled along to the box looked in and could see a bracelet, a chain and a gold bunny attached to it. There was also some cotton wool.
Norman turned, looked across the room to the bed then crawled inside the box onto the cotton wool and fell asleep.
The noise startled Norman.
He looked up, hit his head on the lid of the jewellery box he was in as he peered out across the room.
He looked and there in front of him was the little girl slowly pulling the curtains across letting in the sun light.
Norman could not believe his eyes.
She turned and started to walk towards the dressing table, Norman quickly slid back down only to see her walk right past him and out the room.
It was some time before the little girl returned to her room.
When she did she came straight to the dressing table and picked up her brush and started to brush her long blonde hair.
Norman decided to take a chance
“Hello” he said.
There was no answer
“Hello” he said this time a little louder.
The girl looked startled. She walked to the window then came back to the dressing table
“Hello, Hello I am here” said Norman.
She turned and looked down towards the jewellery box and opened the lid jumping back with a fright.
A caterpillar, what’s that creature doing here she said to her self.
Hello, do not be afraid my name is Norman.
I know you think that it is strange that I am speaking to you but if you come closer I will cast my magic
dust on you and you will be able to talk to me.
The girl looked puzzled. She bent over and looked at the caterpillar.
All of a sudden she felt strange. It was as if she was entering another world.
Don’t be scared said Norman I want to be your friend.
It’s ok, now I have cast my dust and you can now talk to me.
But, but where have you come from, how did you get into my room?
It’s a long story said Norman, I hope you do not mind but I want to stay here for a while. Its safe and I am tired. Could I please stay here for at least the day and then perhaps I will move on this afternoon.
My name is Cherie and I am six years old,what’s your name.
Norman said the caterpillar, just plain old Norman
He was kind of cute she thought; besides I would really like to have a special friend.
Hey that’s ok said Cherie, I am off to school today and when I come home we will sit down and you can
tell me all about yourself she said.
Cherie looked down at the Norman, he was no longer to be seen. He had slipped back into the box his head on the cotton wool and was fast asleep.
Cherie smiled, this was one secret she was not going to share with any one for the time being.