The Beetle and the Wasp

“Hello!” said the wasp to the little beetle.

“I saw you from up there, and I thought you were a dull black

But I can now see the incandescent shimmers of your green elytra”

“That’s not all”, answered the scintillating beetle

“I can build castles out of mud!”

Industrious, the beetle endeavoured to demonstrate its skills to its new friend.

The wasp laughed, delighted at the creation of a fable castle.

It laughed so hard that it got caught in the winds

and it raised in the air

played with the currents

looped, free fell and let itself be stroked by the warm air.

Exhausted at last, it glided back to the mesmerized beetle.

“Beetle, little beetle, the world is more than a castle.

Look at all these lady bugs. Bright red elytra, how many dots do they all have?”

And the little beetle, after looking at its friend going to investigate

Went back to its castle and started creating meticulous portraits from the mud.

Hanging them, it then started painting it all with berry juices.

The reds, the blues, the purples. Its creation looked wonderful.

It waited for the wasp to come back.

It wanted to share it with it.

But wasps are volatile creatures.

Following its fleeting interest, the wasp went to talk to a spider.

“What can you do with all your legs?” it asked.

“Can you run fast? Can you climb boulders? Can you ride tight?”

Annoyed, the spider hissed at the wasp.

Unfazed, the wasp looped back in the air and got a glimpse at the coloured castle.

Remembering the little beetle, it flew back to it.

“Beetle, little beetle, your castle is wonderful!”

Delighted, the beetle felt its heart swell.

Happy, it wanted to have a peek at the wasp’s world.

So, it asked “Wasp, my friend, I want to feel the air like you do.

I want to loop, roll and spin like you!

Please, take me with you and show me the sky and the clouds.”

Obliging, the wasp grasped the beetle and secured it against its torso.

Then, it darted toward the sky.

The beetle squeaked in delight and fright.

The wind was rushing by

The loops were dizzying.

It clutched the wasp, letting go of control.

Enjoying the ride, the sensations and the tinge of fear.

The wasp was fully savouring the experience.

Going higher, flying faster, to show its friend the limitless of the sky.

It got so lost in these wonderful feelings that it forgot to control its prime instincts.

So, its sting found its way into the beetle body.

Onto its heart, it dug.

And it released its poison.

Aghast, the beetle sensed the puncture.

Held tight, it felt the poison spreading in its chest.

And it counted.

One, two, three heartbeats.

Silence.