ants should not eat pretty things

Harper and Harris were playing outside today, enjoying the cooler temperatures and each other's company. i was inside, enjoying some quiet time when suddenly, Harper came bursting in the front door with urgent news. "Dad, there are some ants taking over a butterfly and it's alive because it's wings are still moving!" He then stood there and didn't say anything more, but I took it as my cue to get up and investigate. I rushed outside, well okay, Harper rushed, I just followed and he led me to the scene of the crime.

Once outside, Harper pointed at the ground and said "see?" There on the ground lay a pretty brown, yellow, and orange butterfly that was clearly being eaten by the ants. I explained to Harper that the butterfly wasn't alive and that the ants were eating it. I told him that butterflies live a short life and then die. The ants probably found it and were just doing their job by eating it. Harper thought about it for a minute and then said "well, they shouldn't be eating pretty things like butterflies. Why can't they eat a cockroach?" I then tried to explain to him that the ants don't see a butterfly as pretty like we do, but they see it as food. I told him I knew that it was upsetting, but that's how it works sometimes. He watched for a little while and then I went back inside.

A short while later, I was outside again and Dylan came and told me that Harper had burried the butterfly. I went over to Harper and asked him why he did that and he said "I don't care if the butterfly is dead, the ants still shouldn't be eating it!" I looked at him, smiled, and said "Okay, I can't really argue with that reason!"

Once again, the 5 year old boy's mind seems utterly more complex and thoughtful than I could ever imagine. I don't recall the 3 previous 5 year old's in our house being so complex. Harper seems to carry himself a little differently. At times, he is the silliest boy we've had, but he also seems to be one of the most compassionate and introspective. It's a joy to watch. He cares so deeply about everything around him and his emotions always seem to run deep and strong. I love the fact that he felt it was wrong that this beautiful butterfly was somehow being disrespected so he took matters into his own hand. It never occurred to me to rescue the dead butterfly from it's fate, but clearly it did occur to Harper. He saw what he thought was an injustice and took steps to change it! Now, to others this may not seem like such a big deal. Other's may not see the beauty of what he did. Still others, may think I am being overly dramatic. To me, it was a simple and beautiful gesture on Harpers part and I am immensely proud that I am his father. I have feeling that he will open my eyes to a lot of things that I might not see or think of!

-Scott