The Metaphors That Make a Butterfly Soar: A Deeper Look into “How to Make a Butterfly Fly”

Amanda Ramirez’s How to Make a Butterfly Fly is far more than a children’s story about a monarch butterfly—it’s a layered allegory of faith, resilience, and divine grace. Through the life cycle of a butterfly, Amanda weaves a tapestry of metaphors that speak to the human experience, especially the spiritual journey of growth, struggle, and redemption.

At the heart of the story is the monarch butterfly, emerging from her chrysalis with the hope of soaring freely into the wind. This moment of transformation is symbolic of personal growth and spiritual awakening. But just as she prepares to fly, a violent storm tears through the sky, damaging her delicate wings. This storm is a metaphor for the unexpected trials and traumas that life throws our way—events that are not our fault, yet leave us broken and unsure.

The butterfly’s cry for help is a poignant moment that mirrors the human soul’s call to God in times of despair. Her plea is answered not with thunder or spectacle, but with the quiet arrival of the gardener—a figure who gently mends her wings and helps her soar again. The gardener is a powerful allegory for God’s grace and love. Just as Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden to tend and care for it, the gardener in this story represents divine intervention, healing, and restoration.

The garden itself is another rich symbol. It’s not just a setting—it’s a sanctuary. For children, the garden represents the kind of environment they need to grow: safe, nurturing, and full of love. It echoes the biblical Garden of Eden, a place of innocence, protection, and divine presence. In today’s world, this metaphor reminds us of the importance of creating spaces where children can flourish emotionally and spiritually.

Color also plays a subtle but meaningful role in the story. Green, the color of the garden, is traditionally associated with safety, growth, and renewal. It’s the color of life and assurance, reinforcing the idea that healing and hope are always possible when rooted in love and faith.

Ultimately, How to Make a Butterfly Fly is a story of redemption. It teaches that while storms may come and wings may tear, we are never beyond repair. Through the grace of Jesus Christ and the love of God, we can be restored, renewed, and lifted once more into the wind. The butterfly’s journey is our journey—fragile, beautiful, and full of divine possibility.

Amanda’s story invites readers of all ages to look beyond the surface and see the spiritual truths embedded in nature. It’s a reminder that even in brokenness, there is hope. And in every garden, there is a gardener waiting to help us fly. All we need to do is cry out to God, so that he connects us to him!