Brown and furry
Caterpillar in a hurry,
Take your walk
To the shady leaf, or stalk,
Or what not,
Which may be the chosen spot.
No toad spy you,
Hovering bird of prey pass by you;
Spin and die,
To live again a butterfly.

POEMS FOR KIDS WRITTEN BY CHRISTINA ROSSETTI

Header illustration from Pixabay, with thanks

LET’S CHAT ABOUT THE POEM ~ IDEAS FOR TALKING WITH KIDS

Creativity

1. Why do you think the person telling this poem – the narrator – is speaking to the caterpillar? What does she hope for it?

Empathy

2. Why do you think the narrator does not want a toad to see the caterpillar? Why might she feel this?

Nature

3. Do you know what happens before the caterpillar becomes a butterfly? How does the caterpillar transform?