It started with a pair of acquaintances, with one being more passive, and the other being curious. It explicitly articulates some key ideas and reminders along the way (in their journey).
The 1st one was the monkey's reply to the butterfly that "Just because something's always there, it doesn't mean we should take it for granted." It's a very important reminder. Sometimes, it's not only that we take for granted its presence and assumed it would always be there, and worse, sometimes, we even complain about it and abuse it in our own ways, and did not even appreciate its existence or presence. We won't know and feel its impact and importance until it is gone, until we discover the inconveniences or wonder why things no longer as smooth sailing as it is.
The monkey has a wish, i.e. to touch the moon... but it seemed had not done much to try making it come true, reason being "too afraid of falling". Yes, no doing anything is also doing something - i.e. decided to resign to fate? Probably also because, it is all alone, by itself. So, what else can it do - with this limited 'capacity'?
How about the butterfly? Its role is the encourager that attempts to ignite the kind of enthusiasm that's currently absence in the monkey. It is optimistic and believes in possibilities. The "fear not" and "why not" attitude matters a lot! It comes the driving force - to continue to pursue in the dark times, in challenging times. It does not take things granted, but it magnifies them to see the positivity in them - .e.g. (... things that make one smile...) It' snows small if it makes you smile. Once again, it shows how it appreciates things arounds, no matter how small it is. Think about it, it sounds like an old sage!
"Everything comes to an end" - which sounds very sad.
From another perspective, "but whenever something ends, something new begins".
Some equivalents & deliberation... While 天下无不散的宴席，柳暗花明又一春；塞翁失马，焉知非福也？
I think what's more important is... any "ending" should not be treated too lightly, and we have to recognise that it's not about ending a relationship, too... instead, relationship should be one of the outcomes of the ending of an episode or stage. This is really very important, especially in this very real and connected world! The world is really very small, when people are so well-connected today. One may meet or work with each other in other future episodes. We have to recognise... each engagement is about building one's relationship, and trust and confidence are two elements that come with this relationship.
This point was illustrated twice in the story - the monkey & butterfly's encounters with the snake, as well as the bird (towards the end of the story). Good reciprocates good. Sometimes, one never know how the other party has sacrificed to render the necessary support, just to help one to succeed selflessly - not for a reward, because "being able to help others, is a reward," replied the snake.
Because of this willingness to help, to selflessly give... one has actually stretched its capacity.... "as it takes someone very strong to help others with their problems, while they are dealing with problems of their own."
One other point - which is very real world, is being illustrated through the perception that the monkey and butterfly had with the snake. Nevertheless, I like how they approach it. They describe how they feel when the realised the "vine" is the snake, and were fearful that the snake would be angry. However, the snake responded "we often assume the worst... but appearances can be deceiving."
The climax comes towards the end when the bird lifted them up to the volcano, to borrow its power to send the monkey and the butterfly to the furthest point (nearest to the moon and star).
The fear of being placed at the edge - "It's okay to be scared," replied the bird, "bu no matter how bad the storm gets, it will always pass.". Isn't that encouraging? It's just like we were at the moment just before the exam, just before giving an important presentation, or meeting someone important who would determines our progression? This sounds so familiar! Looking back, we would be able to count... some of those moments that left such heavy impressions in us, and there are also countless that we had to brave through.... "Our emotions come and go, just like clouds in a stormy sky." replied the bird. To manage this, like what the butterfly said, "a calm mind is the best weapon to use against a challenge".
How to manage the fall? What happens when one fails? What's the attitude to face it?
The moment when the bird flew to pick up the pair, it said, "even though we can't control the outcome, we can always control our actions."
In reality, "Life doesn't always go as planned" (from the monkey) and "sometimes, the unplanned moments are better than the planned ones" (from the butterfly). "Following your dreams is never silly" (from the snake)
Hence, while we may plan, we still need to plan because without a plan is planning to fail. But, we need to exercise flexibility and be adaptable, and accept change is constant, ride along it and brave through the storm and enjoy the fruits. When we look back at peacetime, we would be so proud of ourselves as we have grown each time as we move on the journey.
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