Wings unfold; the butterfly waits

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.

Apa yang tergantung diam di bawah daun? Nina melihat sebuah krisalis. Ia mengamati tenang dari jauh. Selubung bergetar, retak mulai tampak. Kepala tampak, disusul kaki. Kupu-kupu dewasa keluar perlahan. Sayap mengembang; ia masih menunggu. Menjadi halus, kuat, lalu kering. Hanya setelah siap, ia bisa terbang. Barulah penerbangan pertamanya dimulai. Ia mencengkeram selubung kosong. Lalu bergantung, sayap terkulai. Mula-mula kecil, lembut, dan berkerut. Cairan tubuh perlahan mengisinya. Bak kipas, sayap mengembang makin lebar. Nina menatap sabar dari jauh. Sayap terbentang, mengeras dan mengering. Kupu-kupu lalu membukanya lebar. Sayap mengembang; ia masih menunggu. Menjadi halus, kuat, lalu kering. Hanya setelah siap, ia bisa terbang. Barulah penerbangan pertamanya dimulai. Terbang di cahaya, hinggap di bunga. Selubung kosong tertinggal di ranting.