Possibly gentle little creature (5)
I believe the answer is:
larva
'creature' is the definition.
(I know that larva is a type of creature)
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for larva that I've seen before include "Grub; insect" , "Juvenile form of insect" , "shows form of immaturity" , "E.g. caterpillar form" , "Volcanic outpouring" .)