Hiding in a Cocoon

Experience is the best teacher, people say. Sometimes they make us run away and hide; to create a wall of defense to stay safe in order not to repeat mistakes. I believe most of us have done that before at a certain point in time, myself included. A friend asked me “Are you planning to stay in a cocoon?” I have never looked at it that way before; hiding in a cocoon. That viewpoint intrigued me.

Pupa and Cocoon

The English dictionary defines cocoon as a silky case spun by the larvae of many insects for protection during the pupal stage; a covering that prevents the corrosion of metal equipment; and something that envelops in a protective or comforting way. The key word here is : PROTECTION.

Protection is not a negative element. It is meant to defend and guard. If we look to Nature for examples, the insect world has plenty to offer. For instance, moth caterpillars and numerous other insect larvae spin a casing of silk for the pupa. This casing, called a cocoon, is meant to be a protective covering for the pupa. Some insects undergo transformation and this life stage is called pupa. And it’s important to note that pupae are very vulnerable as they are immobile, thus unable to defend themselves.

Pupa of honey bees

So what’s wrong with a cocoon? It is essential to safeguard against all the danger around. In fact, it looks foolish not to have a cocoon. If a person feels powerless against the threats around, the least he or she could do is ‘spin’ a ‘cocoon’. In the insect kingdom, cocoons come in many forms. They may be hard, tender, solid, translucent or even colourful. Some insects go to the extent of disguising their cocoons with twigs to hide from killers. Others spin their cocoons in hidden location like the underside of a leaf or near the base of a tree.

Assortment of luna moth cocoons

Cocoon of Emperor Gum Moth

It does not differ much from our human forms, does it?. When we feel insecure, our ‘cocoon’ may be a person we might cling on to, money to lay back on, a roof over our heads or even the action of avoiding anything or anyone the poses a risk of bringing back past hurts. And then we conceal everything with a painted smile. It is a smart move to disguise our ‘cocoons’ because we never know from which direction the predator may emerge. There is a fine line between being brave and being foolish in the face of danger.

As I was looking at the life of insects, I found it rather self-contradictory. All insects that pupate in a cocoon must escape from it. Insects build a cocoon for protection, and then they have to escape from their own place of safety! But that’s just how it works. The pupa has to incise its way out or soften the cocoon by producing fluids while some have ‘built-in features’ to facilitate exit. The bottom line is, a pupa cannot remain in a cocoon forever or it will die.

Thus, I believe that it is not wrong to hide in a cocoon. It’s a stage in life – a stage of transformation; one that is important when we are weak. When insects pupate in a cocoon, they are growing from strength to strength, and that’s what we should do in our ‘cocoons’. When the time is right break away – when we are strong enough - we must. Or else, the very protective ‘cocoons’ that we once constructed might consume us mercilessly.

For me, perhaps I’m not ready. I may be missing out on many things in life by trying to be safe, but the law of Economics does say that everything comes with an opportunity cost (i.e. when you pick between two options, you are sacrificing the other one). Sometimes, a single wrong decision can alter your life forever. You have to admit this world is a crazy place. It’s not easy to self-judge when we are really ready – sometimes it’s about taking chances. But as far as I can see, I believe it to be wise to take calculated risks and not jump over the bridge without knowing how to swim.

But whatever life has to offer, the same God who cared for even the insects in instructing them on how to protect themselves with a cocoon, is the same god who holds our lives in His hand. He teaches us through Nature, but much more than that, through His Word. A cocoon may be good, but His refuge is the best.

Psalm 91:4
“He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler”

Psalm 8:4-6
4. What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 5. You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 6. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet.

By Joanna Jayaprakash, 2008.

References:

Compact Oxford English Dictionary of Current English
http://www.oup.co.uk/isbn/0-19-861022-X?view=ask

Wikipedia – The Free Encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pupa#Cocoon

The Bible