After the rain, the branches were covered with lush, overlapping leaves, radiating vitality under the clear blue sky. The scent of fresh grass after the rain blended with a faint floral fragrance. A butterfly, with slightly damp yet vibrant wings, emerged from its cocoon, dancing gracefully among the flowers, looking carefree. When hungry, it would land on a stamen or a fruit to sip nectar.
One day, a newborn butterfly observed a long line of ants working tirelessly every day, almost like "workaholics." It asked the ants, "Aren't you tired? Why are you moving food all day? Wouldn't it be easier to wander and find food only when you are hungry?" The ants smiled and replied, "If we fail to find food one day, our descendants will starve. We are merely storing food for the coming winter. Without hard work, there will be no worry-free life ahead." Having said that, the ants continued their busy march. The butterfly pondered the ants' words and thought it should also work hard to store nectar for the winter. Consequently, it flew around all day long until, in the chilly autumn wind, it became utterly exhausted, and its life seemed to be coming to an end.
One day, I saw the ants carrying the remains of a butterfly. At the other end of the line lay the broken butterfly. It must have flown until it was too exhausted to continue.
It seems that all blind imitation can only lead to foolish jokes. A butterfly's life is inherently short; it could have lived a happy and beautiful life like it did at the beginning of the story, yet it died while trying to imitate the exhausting lifestyle of the ants. This prompts the question: why not stick to one's own way of life? The ants work to fill their bellies, but the butterfly's life is what others truly envy. It is better to work like an ant, but live like a butterfly.
