Biology
English
Wings unfold; the butterfly waits
Watch a butterfly ease out of its chrysalis, expand its wrinkled wings, and wait for them to become firm and dry. This gentle nature song helps children understand why the butterfly needs time before its first flight.
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Text from the recording’s subtitles.
Song lyrics
What hangs so still beneath that leaf?
Nina spots a chrysalis there.
She watches quietly, keeping back.
The casing trembles; a thin crack shows.
First comes the head, then gripping legs.
An adult butterfly eases out.
Wings unfold; the butterfly waits.
Smooth and firm, they slowly dry.
Only when its wings are ready
Can its very first flight begin.
It grips the empty casing tight.
It hangs beneath with wings drooped down.
At first they're small, soft, and wrinkled.
Fluid from its body fills them.
Like an opening fan, they spread wide.
Nina watches patiently.
The open wings harden and dry.
At last, it opens them out wide.
Wings unfold; the butterfly waits.
Smooth and firm, they slowly dry.
Only when its wings are ready
Can its very first flight begin.
Through sunlight, it flies to a bright flower.
The empty casing stays on the twig.