Lilienfeld Concordantiae caritatis, HS 151

[Koen G]

This is a machine translation of one of the accompanying paragraphs, very likely to contain errors. But it should give you a good impression of why these images are put together:

The worm Tappula is a four-footed creature and has soles [on its feet]. It runs equally upon the earth and over the waters, and it does not wither.

Spiritually, the Tappula worm is like a man who effectively keeps the commandments of God and uses four feet; he is supported by the four cardinal virtues: namely Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance.

He also has soles on his feet because he always runs toward the Lord with the sad and joyful devotions of his affections. He runs equally upon the earth, which is stable: because he exerts himself with a calm mind in the service of God, as if life were eternal to him. Similarly, [he runs] over the flowing waters of temporal lordships/possessions: in which many quarrels are found, and yet he does not wither; he remains inwardly unshaken and ever peaceful amidst human trials.