Bible Edition The Ugly Caterpillar Summary Speckles the spider and Crumbs the cricket think Katy the caterpillar is much too ugly to be their friend. But Annie the ant doesn t agree, and she and Katy become best friends. As Katy the caterpillar begins her strange transformation into a beautiful butterfly, her friend Annie is shocked and amazed. Speckles and Crumbs finally learn the true meaning of beauty and friendship and caterpillars. In this inspiring and beautifully illustrated book, Carl Sommer teaches the importance of respect for others, kindness, friendship, and the true meaning of beauty. Main Virtues Respect for Others/Kindness/Friendship Other Virtues Appreciation, Caring, Cheerfulness, Commitment, Compassion, Cooperation, Creativity, Loyalty, Positive Mental Attitudes, Self-Esteem, and Tolerance Contents Kindness Respect for Others and Friendship Inward Beauty Being Thankful Appreciating God s Amazing Creation God s Amazing Creation Questions
Kindness Hello! shouted the caterpillar. She politely introduced herself. I m Katy. Can I play, too? Of course! said Annie with a great big smile. Come float on the lake with us. Immediately, Annie began rowing to shore. W-a-i-t just a minute! shouted Crumbs. We don t want you to play with us. Why not? asked Katy very softly. Because...well. Speckles held back a laugh. You re just too ugly. Crumbs and Speckles did not want to make friends with Katy because they felt she was too ugly. God wants us to be kind and love everyone, and not judge people by the way they look or the color of their skin. Since God loves the world, we should love everyone. Mark 12:28-31 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, Which is the first commandment of all? [29] Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. [31] And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. [4] Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 1 Timothy 6:18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. Additional verses: Leviticus 19:18, Luke 10:27-37, Romans 13:8-9, Galatians 5:14, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, James 2:8 * The check is a recommended scripture to teach the particular lesson. All verses are from the New King James Version. 2
Respect for Others and Friendship Look at you, laughed Crumbs. You have six little arms and ten short legs. And you don t even have a neck! We d be embarrassed to be seen with someone looking like you. I can t help the way I look, said Katy as she began to cry. I was born this way. Sorry-y-y, answered Speckles and Crumbs. You re much too ugly to be our friend. You re not ugly to me! said Annie. She frowned at her rude friends and jumped onto the bank. I d love to be your friend. Annie showed compassion by respecting Katy and making friends with her. Annie felt the pain that was going on inside Katy, and she wanted to help. Matthew 14:14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. Matthew 15:32 Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way. Matthew 20:34 So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him. Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. Colossians 3:12-13 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; [13] bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. Additional verses: Matthew 9:36, Mark 1:41, 2 Corinthians 1:3, 1 Peter 3:8 Inward Beauty When Annie and Katy were alone, Katy asked, Why am I so ugly? You re not ugly because someone else says so, answered Annie. My parents say you can t tell if someone s ugly just by their looks. What do you mean? asked Katy. What you look like on the outside isn t as important as what you look like on the inside, explained Annie. Things like love and kindness, honesty and goodness those are the important things that make someone beautiful. Many times people judge others by their outward beauty or by the color of their skin, but what really matters in God s sight is the person s inner beauty or character. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 3
Ephesians 4:22-24 Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, [23] and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, [24] and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. [2] And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; [13] bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. [14] But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Additional verses: Philippians 1:9-11, 4:8-9; Colossians 1:10; 2 Peter 1:5-8; 1 John 4:7-8, 4:16 Being Thankful Annie hugged Katy and said, Thank you! Thank you! You saved my life. Immediately after being rescued from falling into the lake and being eaten by a hungry fish, Annie was thankful. We need to learn to be thankful when good things are done for us. Luke 17:17-19 So Jesus answered and said, Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? [18] Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner? [19] And He said to him, Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well. Ephesians 5:19-20 Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, [20] giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. Additional verses: Psalm 100:4; Psalm 107:1; Romans 1:21; Colossians 3:17 4
Appreciating God s Amazing Creation After Annie saw Katy turn into a beautiful butterfly, she said, This is amazing! If I hadn t seen it myself, I never would have believed it. God s creation is amazing. We need to open our eyes and see all the amazing and wonderful things that God has created. Psalm 19:1-4 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. [2] Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. [3] There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. [4] Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun. Psalm 33:6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. Psalm 102:25 Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. The Ugly Caterpillar Colossians 1:16-17 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. [17] And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. Additional verses: Genesis 1:1, Psalm 148:3-6, Isaiah 40:25-26, Romans 1:19-20 God s Amazing Creation (Let students list things of God s amazing creation.) The vast universe of earth, sun, moon, and stars Creation of man Land animals Ocean animals Birds Plants and trees Microscopic life Mountains and hills Sunrise and sunset Miracles of Jesus Resurrection of Christ Return of Christ 5
Questions 1. Where did Speckles, Annie, and Crumbs live? Speckles, Annie, and Crumbs lived under a giant willow tree beside Crystal Lake. 2. What did Crumbs point at that made him so excited? Crumbs pointed at a yellow egg on a smooth green leaf. 3. What did Speckles say about the yellow egg when Annie said, I wonder what lives in there? Speckles said, I don t know, but I bet it s ugly. 4. What did Annie say to Speckles when he said, I don t know, but I bet it s ugly? Annie said, Don t say that! Something beautiful might be inside. 5. What did Crumbs and Speckles do the rest of the day because Annie said, Something beautiful might be inside? For the rest of the day, Crumbs and Speckles laughed at Annie. 6. What did the three friends peek at every day? Every day the three friends would climb up the tree and peek at the tiny yellow egg. 7. What did Crumbs yell when he saw a strange-looking creature poking his head out of the egg? Crumbs yelled, Quick! Come look at this ugly worm. 8. What did Annie say when Speckles said the caterpillar was ugly? Annie said, No, it s not. Just because it s different doesn t make it ugly. 9. What did Annie say when Katy asked, Can I play, too? Annie said, Of course. Come float on the lake with us. 10. What did Crumbs shout to Katy when Annie began rowing to shore? Crumbs shouted to Katy, Wait just a minute! We don t want you to play with us. 11. What did Speckles say when Katy asked, Why not? Speckles said, You re just too ugly. Crumbs and Speckles did not want to make friends with Katy because they felt she was too ugly. We should not judge people by the way they look or the color of their skin. We should be kind to everyone. Since God loves the world, we should also love everyone. The Bible says, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). 12. What did Annie say and do when Speckles and Crumbs said Katy was too ugly to be their friend? Annie said, You re not ugly to me! She frowned at her rude friends and jumped onto the bank. Then she said to Katy, I d love to be your friend. Annie showed compassion for Katy. Annie could feel the pain that was going on inside Katy, and she wanted to help. The Bible says, Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32). 6
13. What did Annie first say when Katy asked, Why am I so ugly? Annie said, You re not ugly just because someone else says so. My parents say you can t tell if someone s ugly just by their looks. 14. What did Annie say to Katy about what was important about looks? Annie said, What you look like on the outside isn t as important as what you look like on the inside. 15. What did Annie say were the important things that make someone beautiful? Annie said, Things like love and kindness, honesty and goodness those are the important things that make someone beautiful. Many times people judge others by their outward beauty or by the color of their skin, but what really matters in the sight of God is the person s character his or her inner beauty. Listen to God s Word about inner virtues, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23). 16. What did Katy say about her skin when Annie said, You re coming apart? Katy said, When my skin gets too tight, I just grow some more. Then I get rid of the old skin. 17. What happened to Annie as she was playing on some leaves hanging over the lake? Annie fell near a hungry fish. 18. What did Annie do and say to Katy after she was rescued? Annie hugged Katy and said, Thank you! Thank you! You saved my life! We need to learn to be thankful to those who do good things for us. The Bible says, Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful (Colossians 3:15). 19. What did Katy say to Annie about why she had to leave for a few weeks? Katy said, Something really big is about to happen to me, and I must find a safe place to stay. 20. What did Katy change into after she tied herself to a branch? Katy turned into a chrysalis. (A butterfly comes from a chrysalis; a moth comes from a cocoon.) 21. What did Katy say happens to butterflies? Katy said, First we come from a small egg as a caterpillar. As we continue to grow, we keep shedding our skin. Then we turn into a chrysalis. And finally TA DAH our bodies change into a butterfly. 22. As Annie watched Katy drying herself in the sun, what did she say? Annie said, This is amazing! If I hadn t seen it myself, I never would have believed it. God s creation is amazing. We need to open our eyes and see all the amazing and wonderful things that God has created. The Bible says, The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun (Psalm 19:1-4). 23. What did Katy say to Annie after she dried her wings? Katy said, Hop on my back, Annie. We ll go for a ride. 7
24. What did Crumbs first say to Annie when he saw Katy? Crumbs said, She sure is pretty. We d love to have her as our friend. 25. What did Crumbs say when Katy asked, Why didn t you like me when I was a caterpillar? Crumbs said, We didn t know you would turn into such a beautiful butterfly. 26. What did Katy say when Crumbs said, We didn t know you would turn into such a beautiful butterfly? Katy said, It shouldn t matter what someone looks like on the outside. You never know something beautiful might be on the inside. 27. Why were Speckles and Crumbs mad at themselves? They were mad at themselves for having treated Katy so badly. 28. What did Crumbs mumble when Speckles said, You know, Annie was right? Crumbs mumbled, She sure was. Something beautiful was inside. 8