For hours one day in a country meadow while I was in Rhode Island, I followed the most beautiful butterfly I had ever seen. It continually flew slightly out of my reach. I felt it was encouraging me to follow it, but at the same time it seemed oblivious to my presence.

As I marveled at the way it gracefully and gently flew through the air, the rest of the world ceased to exit. I continued watching it as it slowly descended and came to rest on a blade of grass. Within seconds after it landed, and with instinctive precision, a praying mantis grabbed it and immediately began to devour it on the spot. What an incredible metamorphosis! It went from caterpillar – to butterfly – to lunch meat. Ahh… the wonders of nature.