A Dill Story

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A Welcomed Guest


While harvesting some dill weed to dry and the seeds of the flowers, I came across one of the caterpillars who love this plant: the swallowtail butterfly. Way back when the children were little, and I was new to gardening I found these black little, little caterpillars all over my dill and fennel plants. I thought what a fun project for the children! So, I cut off some of the branches and put them in a large gallon glass jar along with plenty of the plants they seemed to love. We were in for a wonderful adventure full of amazing surprises. We carried that jar with us where ever we were...out to the barn, on the table while eating and doing school, into the livingroom during devotions. The caterpillar kept eating and growing. It shed its black coat for a pretty striped one, and it still kept growing and eating. We kept filling the jar with more food, and then one day we were rewarded with an amazing and strange sight. That caterpillar turned into a chrysalis and I kept thinking: how did it ever do that!? It just hooked itself on a leaf and sort of turned its skin inside out. I really can't explain it, but no evolution taught that caterpillar such a trick! And when it came out as a butterfly? Well, that feat was just as miraculous!
 
So each year as I grow dill, I make sure that I grow extra. It is a wonderful event to share with children. I still remember fondly their reactions. Maybe one day I will share it with my grandchildren.
 
 



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