I am not a great lover of insects or spiders.
Any one who knows me knows I am totally arachnophobic.
However, I do love butterflies! Almost all of
them are fascinating.
And I can tolerate lady birds
also.
An ‘occupational hazard’ of being a school
teacher is the fact that often pupils will bring insects or spiders in jars for
“Show and Tell'” time.
Two such occasions stand out.
One was a jar full of Huntsman spiders –
allegedly not harmful – but the sight of which was enough to make me quite
nauseous!
The second, and most amazing, was when a pupil
brought in two specimens of the chrysalis of the Monarch or Wanderer
butterfly.
We kept them in an old fish tank which was
covered with fly wire and watched the entire process.
I will never forget it because back then I had
never seen anything like it.
It was a fabulous experience for myself and
the class.
And I have never seen it since!
And I have never seen it since!