Trustworthiness: The Lesson from Catching a Butterfly

Dear friends, I’m here today to share a tale from my youth, a tale that has shaped my understanding of a virtue we all hold dear – trustworthiness. This story revolves around a simple act of catching a butterfly, but the lessons it imparts are profound and timeless.

The Chase

As a young lad, I was fascinated by the vibrant, fluttering creatures we call butterflies. One sunny afternoon, I spotted the most beautiful butterfly I had ever seen. It was a Monarch butterfly, resplendent in its orange and black glory. I decided I must catch it, to admire it up close.

The Promise

My dear grandmother, seeing my determination, called me over. She looked into my eager eyes and made me promise one thing. “Promise me, you’ll let it go after you’ve had your look,” she said. I nodded, the promise given without a second thought.

The Capture

After a merry chase, I finally managed to gently catch the butterfly in my hands. The feeling of its delicate wings fluttering against my palms is something I can still recall. I was overjoyed, but then I remembered my promise.

The Dilemma

I was torn. I wanted to keep the butterfly, to show it off to my friends, to have it as a beautiful pet. But I had given my word to my grandmother. The trust she had in me weighed heavily on my young shoulders.

The Release

After a moment’s hesitation, I opened my hands. The butterfly took off, back into the wild, leaving me with a sense of loss but also a strange feeling of lightness. I had kept my promise. I had been trustworthy.

The Lesson

My friends, trustworthiness is not just about keeping promises. It’s about understanding the weight of our words, the expectations others have of us, and the responsibility we bear when we give our word. It’s about proving ourselves to be reliable, time and time again.

Just like the butterfly, trust is delicate. Once lost, it’s hard to regain. So, let’s be like the young boy who chose to release the butterfly. Let’s choose to be trustworthy, even when it’s hard, even when it costs us. Because in the end, the respect and trust we earn is worth far more than any butterfly, no matter how beautiful.

Until next time, remember to keep your promises and cherish the trust others place in you.

Yours in wisdom,

Kev