Caterpillars or new shoots

 　　I often take casual photos with my phone. These range from scenic spots like white clouds in the sky and mountains resembling a sleeping Buddha to elderly people leisurely playing chess in a square. Sometimes when I go on outings, I ask my son to take photos for me as keepsakes. Although I can be quite narcissistic at times, I never take selfies. Among all my casual snapshots, there's one that makes me both "apprehensive" and "proud" so far. My pride doesn't stem from my photography skills, but entirely from the breathtaking subject.

　　Look, among several lush, green trees, one is the luckiest. When I saw it, its boundless greenness stirred my heart. And then, as if I'd suddenly discovered a new continent, several plump green caterpillars (also known as "pig worms") clung tightly to the branches, forming their own little world. But upon closer inspection, one, two, three—good heavens! This wasn't just a pristine white tree; it was a paradise for caterpillars!

　　But upon closer inspection, the green caterpillar, about two or three centimeters long, had no wrinkles and looked young, sexy, and arrogant. Something was wrong. This caterpillar had clearly detached itself from the leaves; it wasn't coiled and attached to them, but rather stretched out from the branches. It was motionless, seemingly snoring soundly in its sleep. Strangely, it had those twig-like "bellflower" appendages on its body—could they be new buds that I mistook for caterpillars?

　　I dared not draw a conclusion, but subconsciously, I was curious about this chameleon-like caterpillar and snapped a picture. Before, capturing a moment required perfect timing, but now it was the opposite. Even though my frame could capture the tree and the caterpillar, it couldn't capture the feigned "sleep." Enveloped by instinctive curiosity, I lingered under the tree for a long time. I knew I had to find the answer, even if it meant being a hypocrite or facing ridicule.

　　But I changed my mind in an instant. I didn't want to ask, not because I found it troublesome, but because I was afraid someone would share this rare and precious "little happiness." Perhaps someone would casually tell me: "It's just an insect, what's so special about it!" Or perhaps someone would exclaim: "Ah, it's a tree branch! It really looks like an insect!" I might be more accepting of the latter, but I didn't want the legend to become reality. A small difference can lead to a huge error. It's like a beautiful dream, one fears waking up. Life should be about finding joy in imagination and curiosity, not just pursuing some insignificant so-called "truth."

　　The world is vast and full of wonders. Rather than racking my brains and exhausting my resources, let it be like a mirage—unattainable, but longed for!

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