Nice People

A little story about bugs.

Until today, I had never killed a spider or a bee. I had, fumblingly, put them in the wrong place, most likely. I had caught critters in bowls and jars, let them scurry away across a patio or windowsill. Believed I was doing them a kindness.

Taught my children they don’t belong here but they won’t hurt us from a distance. Taught my children we are good, our cause is to Save The Critters. That we were here first, but violence is not the answer.

Yesterday, a small white leggy thing made its way up the handle of my child’s stroller. My right hand itched; it had spat its venom into my veins. It was angry, and so was I. I flicked it away from my child and onto the ground. And then-for no reason at all-I stepped on it. '

And forgot.