cried Tom . `` Then let me go , '' said the creature . `` I want to be quiet . I want to split . '' Tom promised to let him alone , and he let go . `` Why do you want to split ? '' said Tom . `` Because my brothers and sisters have all split , and turned into beautiful creatures with wings ; and I want to split too . Do n't speak to me . I am sure I shall split . I will split ! '' Tom stood still , and watched him . And he swelled himself , and puffed , and stretched himself out stiff , and at last -- crack , puff , bang -- he opened all down his back , and then up to the top of his head . And out of his inside came the most slender , elegant , soft creature , as soft and smooth as Tom : but very pale and weak , like a little child who has been ill a long time in a dark room . It moved its legs very feebly ; and looked about it half ashamed , like a girl when she goes for the first time into a ballroom ; and then it began walking slowly up a grass stem to the top of the water . Tom was so astonished that he never said a word but he stared with all his eyes . And he went up to the top of the water too , and peeped out to see what would happen . And as the creature sat in the warm bright sun , a wonderful change came over it . It grew strong and firm ; the most lovely colours began to show on its body , blue and yellow and black , spots and bars and rings ; out of its back rose four great wings of bright brown gauze ; and its eyes grew so large that they filled all its head , and shone like ten thousand diamonds . `` Oh , you beautiful creature ! ''
said XXXXX ; and he put out his hand to catch it .
Tom bars body colours eyes first gauze girl shone sun