Once there was Popatlal. He used to pass by a garden every day on his way to and from the shop. Every time he passed, he wished he could go inside. But he never had the time. One day, he finally had some free time and went into the garden!
The garden was beautiful. It had colorful flowers. There was also a swing. Popatlal went in, and soon he was lost in its beauty.
Popatlal sat on a bench under a tree. The shade was cool, and there were flowers blooming all around. A lovely butterfly flew gracefully over the flowers.
Seeing the butterfly reminded Popatlal of his childhood. He remembered how he and his friends would chase butterflies. Popatlal thought, “Even today, if I find a butterfly, I must try to catch it.”
Just then, the butterfly flew past him. Popatlal rose, excited. The flower was beautiful, but the butterfly above it was even more enchanting. He slowly approached the butterfly, and just when he was about to catch it, the butterfly flew off. Popatlal began chasing it.
What a sight it was! The butterfly in front, and Popatlal behind! The butterfly was rising higher and higher, and Popatlal was running after it. At one spot, he tripped over a stone and fell hard. But Popatlal didn’t stop. He stood back up and continued chasing the butterfly.
He looked around for the butterfly. It had flown to another flower. Popatlal approached slowly. The butterfly flitted again, and this time, Popatlal was ready. He reached out both hands and caught it!
Popatlal sat down on the bench, the butterfly cupped in his hands. At that time, Vikas, a boy who often played in the garden, came by and saw him.
“Uncle! Do you have the butterfly in your hand?”
“Yes, it’s a beautiful butterfly,” said Popatlal.
“Where did you catch it?”
“From over there,” he replied.
“Uncle, did you really catch it?”
“Yes… somehow… I managed to catch it.”
“You must’ve run a lot to catch it!”
Popatlal thought, “I did run a lot. And I even fell on the stones. But it was worth it.”
Then Vikas said, “Uncle, catching a butterfly isn’t a great thing. None of my teachers or books say that trapping a living creature is a good deed.”
Popatlal didn’t like what Vikas said. He thought, “This little one is lecturing me now?” But then he paused and said, “You’re right. I made a mistake.”
“Then why don’t you set it free, Uncle? Butterflies are meant to fly over flowers, not be caught.”
Popatlal’s face fell.
Vikas continued, “Uncle, now this butterfly can’t fly.”
“Why? Why can’t it fly?” asked Popatlal.
“The colors from its wings might have rubbed off on your fingers. Look at your fingertips. Its wing colors must’ve transferred there.”
Popatlal looked. His hands still cupped the butterfly. It tried to flutter, but couldn’t. Its wing colors had faded. Popatlal realized what a big mistake he had made.
“Son, during childhood we sometimes don’t realize what’s right and wrong. But even when we grow up, we must still learn. You understood this while you’re still young. That means you’re already wiser than I am. Many children learn faster than adults. You reminded me of a great truth: that we shouldn’t try to catch a butterfly.” Popatlal had tears in his eyes.
