There was a large mushroom near her , about the same height as herself , and when she had looked under it , and on both sides of it , and behind it , it occurred to her to look and see what was on the top of it . She stretched herself up on tiptoe , and peeped over the edge of the mushroom , and her eyes immediately met those of a large blue caterpillar , which was sitting with its arms folded , quietly smoking a long hookah , and taking not the least notice of her or of anything else . -LSB- Illustration -RSB- For some time they looked at each other in silence : at last the caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth , and languidly addressed her . `` Who are you ? '' said the caterpillar . This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation : Alice replied rather shyly , `` I -- I hardly know , sir , just at present -- at least I know who I was when I got up this morning , but I think I must have been changed several times since that . '' `` What do you mean by that ? '' said the caterpillar , `` explain yourself ! '' `` I ca 'n' t explain myself , I 'm afraid , sir , '' said Alice , `` because I 'm not myself , you see . '' `` I do n't see , '' said the caterpillar . `` I 'm afraid I ca n't put it more clearly , '' Alice replied very politely , `` for I ca 'n' t understand it myself , and really to be so many different sizes in one day is very confusing . '' `` It is n't , '' said the caterpillar . `` Well , perhaps you have n't found it so yet , '' said Alice , `` but when you have to turn into a chrysalis , you know , and then after that into a butterfly , I should think it 'll feel a little queer , do n't you think so ? '' `` Not a bit , '' said the caterpillar . `` All I know is , '' said Alice , `` it would feel queer to me . '' `` You ! '' said the caterpillar contemptuously , `` who are you ? '' Which brought them back again to the beginning of the conversation : Alice felt a little irritated at the caterpillar making such very short remarks , and she drew herself up and said very gravely `` I think you ought to tell me who you are , first . '' `` Why ? '' said the caterpillar .
Here was another puzzling question : and as XXXXX had no reason ready , and the caterpillar seemed to be in a very bad temper , she turned round and walked away .
Alice Illustration arms chrysalis day first hookah morning queer smoking