2nd September, 2024
Nature always fascinates. The plants, insects, birds, animals, rocks, rivers & lakes, you name it. Everything that the eyes can see, the hands can touch, the feet can feel, the ears can hear, is a brand new sensation to me every time. One such instance occurred with me today yet again. It was my first day today to finally get back on routine. The medicines, and the tiresome monotony of studies and assignments had worn me down and I found it tedious to wake up before completing a full 8 hour sleep. I pushed myself today, thinking it’s now or never, and got myself to exercise and enjoy the view. It had been raining for weeks, and finally there was a ray of light shining on my face. Thank god I made the effort to climb the stairs to see the view. Fascinating as always. The mist / fog was still settling in from the rains and I could see the haze over the mountains in the distance. The cool breeze despite the warmth of a fading summer, really made me feel like the weather was actually changing. One of the rare moments when I experienced this phenomenon.
As usual, I went back home, cleaned up, sat down to study. My mom was doing her laundry in the balcony when she shrieked. I turned my head to see what was wrong, went up to her because I couldn’t understand what was happening. On the ground I saw a huge green insect with long legs trying to fiddle it’s way back on its belly. It almost looked like a playful infant trying to call for its mother to play with. I understood that this insect was on my mom’s leg and she freaked out given the size, and also by the fact that she had not seen it before. My first guess was that it was a leaf insect, but then it struck me that it’s rather odd shaped for a leaf insect, given that a leaf insect looks just like a leaf. Then it struck me that it is indeed a mantis. I did a quick search to confirm, as it had been a long time since I studied about these creatures.
There it was, a mantis, in the flesh, right before me, fidgeting like a baby on its back. I used a small stick to help it up and then left it to its own meditation. My mom was still freaking out and I explained it to her that mantis is not lethal to humans. However, the same can’t be said for other small species. The mantis is a predator insect, using its special legs and arms to grip its prey. It is one of the few living creatures which exhibit sexual cannibalism, where the females rip apart their male counterparts after a sexual encounter. Mostly, I understand, the males which are smaller in size. After refreshing my memory with the variety of mantises that exist in nature, I took a glance again at the majestic creature. Mom insisted that I keep it away towards the plants so that it stays safe and doesn’t get crushed accidentally. I wanted to keep admiring it for a while, so I didn’t budge. She on the other hand, took the initiative and hid it behind the flower pots. I was a little saddened, but at least I knew where to find it.
Fast forward to later in the afternoon, my mom shrieked again. This time she was ready to throw up because she thought the mantis was dead. For a minute, even I thought it was dead, or at least dying, given the minimal movement of the limbs. It was on its back again, which made me believe that it had an accident while climbing up or down the plants. I helped it up with the stick, and this time it held onto the stick as if it was holding on to dear life. I was a little worried. I convinced mom that it is alright and she need not worry either. However, I couldn’t brush it off of my mind for a while. I kept migrating from plant to plant, in the hopes that it would probably get some of its vitality back. It was still pretty slow in its movements. I understood that maybe, indeed its time has come near.
After some time, while I was watching some lectures, I got up and migrated the mantis to the tulsi plant. I figured, if it was its last breath, might as well send it to Baikunthdham, liberate if from this world for good. The mantis was trying its best to move around still. I felt a little better after doing it, and I kept checking on it every now and then. It’s weird how attached I had gotten to it in the short span of time. I remember seeing it, or something similar, on one of the plants earlier when it was raining a few days back. I didn’t think much of it at the time. Maybe I was too fascinated now, given that I realized what it was.
During one of my checks, I saw the mantis curl up with it’s back protruding out. I thought, what if it is pregnant, and laying eggs or whatever. It made perfect sense at the time. I left it alone again. I kept checking on it, to see if it was really dead or not. Apparently it was still kicking.
It wasn’t until later in the evening when I realized, that it has curled itself up into a nice comfortable hole in the soil and is scratching it’s head and face in a fashionable way. I figured maybe the mantis is high on something. I don’t remember growing cannabis anymore, or anyone smoking anything other than beedi / cigarettes around here. I mean, whatever keeps it happy and away from the cruel realities of the world. Given how cruel the mantis itself can be, I figured, forget it.
I hope it sticks around, it’ll keep me entertained during these testing times.