The Strength Born of Struggle

"What do you suppose is in that cocoon, Charlie?"

"I don't know. A butterfly, I guess?"

"It's much more beautiful than that. That's a moth cocoon. It's ironic. Butterflies get all the attention, but moths, they spin silk. They're stronger, faster."

The character holds the cocoon carefully, pointing to a small opening.

"But you see this little hole? This moth's just about to emerge. It's in there right now, struggling. It's digging its way through the thick hide of the cocoon. Now I could help it. Take my knife, gently widen the opening, and the moth would be free."

A pause. Then the truth.

"But it would be too weak to survive. Struggle is nature's way of strengthening it."