He eats leaves, he forms processions, and he spins tents. 他吃树叶，组织游行，织帐篷。

In twenty-four hours the little tent has become as large as a hazelnut, and in two weeks it is the size of an apple. 不出24小时，这个小帐篷就变成了榛子那么大，两个星期就变成了苹果那么大。

But it is still only a summer tent. 但它仍然只是一个夏季帐篷。

When winter is near, they will build a stronger one. 冬天来临时，他们将建造一个更结实的。

In the meantime, the caterpillars eat the leaves around which their tent is stretched. 与此同时，毛毛虫会吃掉帐篷周围的树叶。

Their house gives them at the same time meals and lodging. 他们的房子同时为他们提供食宿。

This saves them from going out for food when they are so young and so tiny. 这就避免了它们在这么小的时候外出觅食。

When this tent gives way, owing to the caterpillars’ having nibbled the leaves that hold it, the family moves on and erects a new tent higher up on the pine tree. 当这个帐篷倒塌时，由于毛毛虫啃掉了支撑它的树叶，毛毛虫一家就搬走了，在更高的松树上搭起了一个新帐篷。

Sometimes they reach the very top of the tree. 有时他们会爬到树的顶端。