Are transformations uni-directional?

"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world
the master calls a butterfly."

-– Richard Bach (Author)

... Not all which we experience is a dark or gloomy as we first imagine.

... Surely the caterpillar has no idea that it will become a butterfly.

... I wonder if the butterfly, on the other hand, recognizes that it once was a lowly caterpillar.

... There are days when I seem very comfortable -- all warm and fuzzy -- being just who I am. Dare I say I'm happy being a fat caterpiller? [Eating more than my fair share of food; moving slowly along a branch or stick in search of my next meal or experience.]

... Then there are days when I dream of flying. I guess it isn't very 'manly' to think of oneself as a butterfly. [Unless of course you remember Mohammad Ali who "floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee."

... Are transformations uni-directional?