You see a lot of interesting things

While sitting on the porch out back,

Very slowly a creature appeared

I fear some legs he lack.

Who should appear on the window screen?

But a brown "stick" looking insect,

I sat my cup of coffee down

And walked outside to inspect.

He really did have legs a-missing

No handicap he had at all,

'Cause he kept walking up that screen

Never faltering and never did he fall.

Next day, another one we saw

This one must have been a mother,

For on its back was a young one

With head held high, it clung to her.

These are called "Praying Mantis"

Giving thanks as if in prayer,

They clasp their prey in forelimbs held up

No insect to a Mantis can compare.

The Mantis best beware

Of the spider webs around,

If into the web it should walk

The poor Mantis will be found.

So Mrs. Spider caught her prey

In her web that she had spun,

Soon the Mantis lost his life

In the end, Mrs. Spider had won.

Vina Carathers

November 4, 2001