FRESH TÊTE-À-TÊTES

FRESH TÊTE-À-TÊTES

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

14/X/2022

When I opened the door this morning, there was a chill in the air. Weather has cooled down drastically. Festive season is approaching. By the time the sun came up, I had finished my walk. It was time to meet my friends.

The first one saves us humans from mosquitoes and keeps my plants safe from other insects. It is ‘Mr Spider.’ It was at work the whole night which I could make out. We had to exchange ideas.

I asked, what was the ‘score’ last night. He flinched a little on his web. Not much work last night, he said. I could barely fill my tummy. I said, you look plump and probably are overeating. To which he replied, you humans will never understand. Winters are coming and we must store energy for that. Last year it was too cold and I just made it to spring. This year, I cannot take chances, he said.

I see, but why do you wind up your web every morning? I was inquisitive. To which he replied, that you people are one of the major reasons. What nonsense, I said! The explanation he gave was interesting and thought provoking.

Mr Spider blamed the ‘Paper Wala’ who visited well before dawn. Everyday he breaks my web by chucking the newspaper through my web. I lose prey and all my hard work building the web goes for a six. Oh! I see, I said.

Then the birds start congregating to feed on the grains you spread. They chase each other and fly through my no-fly zone damaging the strings and even carry the web along. It takes me time to produce raisin for the web. I need to preserve it.

Then you arrive in the garden. While watering the plants, you too break my web inadvertently as you cannot see those fine threads. Oh yes, I just cannot stand those things sticking in my face. Today, I got one in my eye and it started watering. I too expressed my dismay.

Sorry, said Mr Spider and went on to collect the remnants of the web he had painstakingly produced and bundled them on her rump before he went for his siesta.

My attention was then drawn to my ‘touch me not’ plant. Leaves had been ripped, stems had been ruptured and many flowering buds had gone missing. Who could it be, I thought to myself? Then I saw something green appear from behind a branch. It was a big four-inch Grasshopper.

Papa Hopper, is that you? I asked. No, he said. You cannot be 'Baby Hopper'. That is who I am, he said, munching leaves and clipping them with his pincers.

You have more than tripled in size since we last met, I said. It is time for me to raise a family before it gets too cold, he said. I got to make a six pack to impress my ‘would be.’ I could see the muscles of his hind legs. They could beat Arnold Schwarzenegger’s hands down.

Where is Ms Hopper, I asked? He pointed one of his whiskers to the next pot, where a teeny-weeny hopper was sitting. Moment, she saw me she blushed and hid behind a leaf. I left the two to enjoy their day.

Fish in the lotus tubs were complaining too. Someone has ‘cat-napped’ our cousins. I was taken aback. It was time for a head count. Seven of them were missing. Who did it, I asked? The ‘Ruddy Tat,’ they said.

I brought half broken pots for them to hide behind in case of danger. I also briefed them and we practiced ‘anti-cat drills. As I shook the water, they all rushed behind the broken pots and did not come out till all was clear. Even my shadow was enough for them to scoot to safety. Always be alert and on the lookout, I said.

It was time now to visit the main fish pond. On seeing us fish come up, skimming the surface of the pond with open mouths. They ask for food like a hungry child.

My attention was drawn to a new visitor to the pond, Mr Helicopter. What brings you here? Game, he said. Don't you dare touch my fish; I warned him. He showed me a water bug he had caught in his claws. This is the guy who eats your fingerlings. This was a revelation to me.

I stay at the river nearby. Someone mentioned that you have a new fish pond, so I came here to see for myself, he said. Do keep visiting, I requested Mr Helicopter aka Dragon Fly.

It was time to pen my tête-à-têtes. With whom will I get into a fresh one? I wonder!!!!!!!!!

JAI HIND