FLY MARTYR AND OTHER HEROIC INSECTS

FLY MARTYR AND OTHER HEROIC INSECTS

I was having a conversation with a lady octogenarian over a cup of coffee. A fly suddenly came humming to the vicinity and bravely alighted on top of the sugar jar. Then it quickly transferred to the place mat and to the tray in its courageous attempt to reach my cup with still hot coffee. Visibly irritated the octogenarian requested for a fly swapper from her maid so she could finish the fly right away.

But the fly moved and flew so fast tempting the old lady to be more furious and more determined to kill the obnoxious insect. Not long later she was already panting angrily and her temple veins were bloated. Her blood pressure must have shoot up turning her into a mad fly murderer. Yet, the fly looked stronger as it moved and flew around in wild abandon.

“Wait”, I told the old woman, “You better stop hunting for the fly. It is considered a martyr in the fly kingdom and millions of fly are prying for its safety”. For its valor to be able to strut around alone back and fort in front of two aged humans is a heroic feat in the eyes of other insects. When it returns to its ”community” it will be hailed a hero even if it only brings home a taste of that coffee that it finally was able to sip from the left-over drops after I finished my cup.

If some human beings could only be as brave, strategic and daring as the fly, the ant and the mosquito, our world would be more abundant, stronger and harmonious. Look at the ant hives and the bee hives.

Have you ever for a moment stopped to watch the ants as they queue for the food to bring to their storage? They are so disciplined, uncomplaining while carrying their loads sometimes bigger and heavier than themselves. But they don’t stop being friendly and sociable as they always greet their comrades even if they only need to say: “We are going to die”. And the other ant replies. ”I know”. They are not afraid to die.