Hope for the Flowers by Trina Paulos - Book Report/Review Example

Hope for the Flowers by Trina Paulos The name of the children’s book is Hope for the Flowers and it is written by Trina Paulos. This book might be appropriate for children not less than the age of twelve; because this story, although written in a simple manner, requires a little mature mind to understand. The story is about two caterpillars who are trying to find a purpose in life, and make the best out it. It starts with a caterpillar named Stripe, who is unhappy with his life. He does not know what his aims are and what he should be doing. One day he comes across this pyramid formed by a mass of caterpillars, who were desperately trying to get over each other, to reach the top and gain whatever is up there. Believing that he has finally found his purpose in life, Stripe leaps into the pyramid and tries to make his way to the top. On his way, he meets a female caterpillar named Yellow. Yellow was also trying to get up there, to see what was there at the top and why was every one so eager to gain it. Stripe and Yellow manage to relate to each other and they come to a conclusion that whatever is there at the top it is not worth struggling for, and instead they could spend their time doing something else. They both end up falling for each other after spending quality time together. After some time, the regret of leaving his chase to the top of the pyramid got the better of Stripe and he told Yellow that he was going back. Yellow is saddened by Stripe’s decision and she wanders off. On her way, she meets another caterpillar trying to making a cocoon, so that it could turn into a butterfly; because that was its destiny, even though he was facing many difficulties while doing it. Yellow becomes deeply motivated by this, and she herself tries to make her cocoon. Initially, she had planned on convincing Stripe to do the same, but the other caterpillar advised her not to do so, and let Stripe see with his own eyes first, that how beautiful a butterfly is. At last, the day came when Yellow managed to perform metamorphosis and changed into a butterfly. When Stripe finally realizes that Yellow has turned into a butterfly and is serving the flowers with the essential requirements, he concludes that there is no top, and becoming a butterfly is the only way to reach to the highest destination. Even though, the transition is a very challenging one, he had to do it. Therefore, he too made a cocoon and converted into a butterfly, a few days later. One of the grieving moments in the story was when Stripe’s lust to get to the top, gets the better of him and he sacrifices his love for that. This he later regrets, when he finds out that Yellow has turned into a beautiful butterfly and that was supposed to be also his destiny the whole time. The story first leads us through a sad stage where Stripe leaves Yellow to fulfill his desire. Next, the grieving stage mentioned is through the eyes of Yellow, who has been left by Stripe and she feels sorry for him. The interaction between Yellow and the caterpillar trying to change into a butterfly is also pretty sad. It shows the pain the caterpillar has to go through in order to achieve his destiny. Stripe’s reaction to Yellow’s transition into a butterfly is also pretty saddening. He feels miserable for looking elsewhere to seek happiness and to be still loved so much by Yellow, when he had caused her misery and treated her badly before. This story reflects on a variety of cultural aspects. In today’s world, it is common for everyone to reach the top, without knowing what the top really is. They are always wandering aimlessly, trying to find their purpose in life, and do not their destiny is laying right in front of them. All they have to do is work really hard and face a number of difficulties, to achieve the desired result. Also common in our society is the fact that people in their lust for power, forget their loved ones and leave them behind. This has been emphasized a lot in this story. It advises us not to take our loved ones for granted, because they are the special people in our lives, who are very hard to find. Stripe, too, came across Yellow by accident and it was just a stroke of luck. But in his pursuit for something completely unknown to him, he gave up Yellow, who was probably the best thing that happened to him and she was the missing piece of the puzzle that could complete his life. He had been searching for his purpose in life and now that he had found it, he gave it up and returned to the caterpillar pyramid. This is how people react in their lives as well. They finally find their goal or the person they have been looking for, but sooner or later they give it up to pursue something unreal. And when they realize their mistake, it is just too late. This is a stereotypical view of the people, which has been mentioned in numerous works. This book, although written from a caterpillar’s perspective, describes our lives and the mistakes we make while exploring our purpose in life. This story has a valuable lesson about how lust for some things can mislead and ruin one’s life. It asks us to appreciate our loved ones and those close to us. We should get mislead but instead follow the path that has been laid out for us. Stripe, the caterpillar, left his love to go for something that does not even exist. We are advised not to do the same but learn from his mistakes. This story can have a great effect on children and help them in teaching an important lesson, which will aid them in future. (Paulus 1972). References Top of Form Paulus, T. (1972). Hope for the flowers. New York: Newman Press. Bottom of Form Read More