China boy wants to raise silkworms to create silk quilt, prompting parents to buy 10,000 seeds

Family eventually hatches 12,000 larvae and youngster feeds them every day; mother says caring for living things beats any toy

A boy in central China dreamed of making his own silk quilt, prompting his parents to buy 10,000 silkworm eggs to nurture his curiosity.

In May, a mother surnamed Ruan from Wuhan, Hubei province, revealed online that her family was raising silkworms to help realise her six-year-old son’s unusual dream.

Ruan told the mainland outlet Chengshi Interactive that the idea came during the silkworm-rearing season. The optimal window generally runs from May to October.

The family, who raise silkworms every year and even made a silk fan in 2024, decided to support the boy’s plan.

His father bought 10,000 silkworm eggs online. Combined with eggs saved from the previous year, the family eventually hatched about 12,000 larvae.