Small Crawling Creatures

 Photo by Vincent van Zalinge on Unsplash

"One should pay attention to even the smallest crawling creature for these too may have a valuable lesson to teach us." (Black Elk)

The Ladybird
Ladybird, you’re very neat
From tiny head to little feet,
I like your coat of red and black,
I like your clean and shining back.
Do you polish it each night
To make it shine so gay and bright,
Or do you keep a tiny fay
Who rubs it up for you each day?
Beneath your shiny back there lie
The gauzy wings with which you fly,
You’re spreading them – oh please don’t go,
There’s such a lot I want to know.
Your house is burning, do you say?
Ah, well, of course, you mustn’t stay!
Poem originally written for Teachers World No.1576 Aug 9, 1933, taken from The Enid Blyton Poetry Book, 1934.

My climbing roses are covered in greenfly, so I'm struggling to see what 'valuable lesson' they can teach us. Perhaps that we must be persistent masters of disguise. I'm trying to control them organically, however, by including a few more plants in my garden to encourage ladybirds.

There's much folklore surrounding ladybirds. Did you know that if one lands on your hand it means you will get new gloves?

I remember watching, as a child, the film "Summer Magic", and listening to Burl Ives singing 'Ugly Bug Ball'. It was a favourite on the radio programme 'Children's Favourites'. 

Writing Prompts:

• How do you feel about creepie crawlies? Write about them (if you dare) for a few minutes.
• Write about the lessons that you think can be learned from the creatures in our gardens. 
• Do you remember a favourite song from childhood? Write about it. What emotions does the memory bring up for you?

Please share your writing, or thoughts about the blog in the comments box below.