Be Quiet

I go outside the day after meeting the mantis to find him again in his usual spot. I take his photo. Jason comes to the back door and converses with me across the yard.

In an instant the preying mantis has turned to me. He commands that I, “Be quiet!” I snap one last photo and dash inside to avoid further wrath.

And so our relationship continues in silence. Don’t fear the mantis; listen to it.