The Very Hungry Caterpillar
                     THE VERY HUNGRY 
CATERPILLAR
INTRODUCTION
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a children’s picture 
book, designed, illustrated, and written by Eric 
Carle. The book features a very hungry caterpillar 
eating foodstuffs before pupating and emerging as 
a butterfly. It has won many children’s literature 
awards and major graphic design awards.
SOURCE: en.wikipedia.org
Synopsis
On an early Sunday morning, “a tiny and very 
hungry caterpillar” hatches from his egg. Then, he 
searches for something to eat. For the following 
five days (Monday through Friday), the very hungry 
caterpillar eats through an increasing quantity of 
fruit: one apple on Monday, two pears on Tuesday, 
three plums on Wednesday, four strawberries on 
Thursday, and five oranges on Friday.
SOURCE: en.wikipedia.org
Synopsis 
Cont.
The caterpillar is still hungry. On Saturday, he 
feasts, eating a piece of chocolate cake, a 
strawberry ice cream cone, a pickle, a slice of Swiss 
cheese, a slice of salami, a lollipop, a piece of 
cherry pie, a sausage, a cupcake and a slice of 
watermelon. That night, he gets a stomach ache 
from unhealthy overeating.
SOURCE: en.wikipedia.org
Filled with moral 
questions 
This short story by Eric Carle is filled with moral 
questions on the topics of self-control, well-being 
and happiness, and growth and change.
SOURCE: en.wikipedia.org
Journey of 
caterpillar
The caterpillar eats more and more with each 
passing day, until it does not feel good. It takes 
eating a “nice leaf” to make him feel better. This 
change in diet allowed the caterpillar to build a 
cocoon and grow into a butterfly.
SOURCE: en.wikipedia.org
Self-control
The first set of questions prompts children to dive 
into the virtue of self-control. It examines the 
inherent value and importance self-control can 
have on our lives. 
These questions aim at juxtaposing the pleasure 
gained from consuming something like sweets 
versus the benefits gained from refraining to 
succumb to these pleasures.
SOURCE: en.wikipedia.org
Comparison with 
life
In the story, the caterpillar eats a lot of unhealthy 
food that makes him feel bad. Similarly, in life, we 
sometimes over consume something that makes us 
feel bad afterwards. The virtue of self-control helps 
with preventing this scenario from ever happening. 
SOURCE: www.prindleinstitute.org
Freedom of 
choice
when discussing self-control it is important to 
emphasize that freedom of choice does not mean 
that one can do whatever he or she wishes. All 
actions have consequences. No one told the 
caterpillar that eating all that food would be bad for 
him. 
SOURCE: www.prindleinstitute.org
Questions with 
well-being
The second set of questions deals with well-being 
and happiness. In the story, the caterpillar felt 
happy while eating all that food. 
Similarly in life, satisfying our wants pleases us. 
However, this feeling is short-lived and soon we 
need more to satisfy our wants or cravings.
SOURCE: www.prindleinstitute.org
Growth and 
change
The third set of questions deals with growth and 
change. The tiny caterpillar emerged from his egg 
very hungry and looking for food. Similarly, we too 
are born with a craving for food and certain 
experiences. The caterpillar eats many different 
foods each day. After eating too much, the 
caterpillar ends up with a tummy ache so he turns 
his attention to a nice green leaf.
SOURCE: www.prindleinstitute.org