Are Caterpillars Good to Eat?

I was sitting down to eat dinner with my family the other night. We had just gotten started when Susan, my 6-year-old daughter, suddenly asked me, “Daddy, are caterpillars good to eat?”

Now, I’ve got a sensitive stomach, and I guess I overreacted a little. “Susan,” I said, “I’ve told you not to talk about things like that at the dinner table! Now go to your room!”

Not long afterward, I started feeling remorseful. I went up to Susan’s room to let her know she could come back down to dinner.

On our way downstairs, curiosity got the better of me. “Honey,” I said, “Why were you even wondering if caterpillars are good to eat?” “Oh,” she replied, “I just saw one on your salad when we started eating. But then it was gone, so I guess it doesn’t matter now.”