Cyclorrhapha quickly buzzed back and forth looking for the source of the odor it had come across only a short time ago. Having been able to fly for
only a few hours now, its flight was somewhat ungainly. It was having trouble signaling the various muscles to control its flight. Second by second
though, its flying was improving and soon the source of the odor would be found.
The piece of uncooked hamburger lying under the picnic table already had visitors when Cyclorrhapha arrived. Nature was in the process of cleaning
its self. Pogonomyrmex Barbatus were quickly taking morsels away to their colony. Prokaryotes were also helping the process of decomposition.
Cyclorrhapha landed and true to its instinctual programming began to lay eggs that would soon become larvae, eating what would be left of the
hamburger.
At first, only one of the 4000 eyes Cyclorrhapha had, detected the threat. Soon more of the eyes began processing the information and delivering that
information to Cyclorrhapha's brain. The time to react was soon approaching.
The threat Cyclorrhapha's compond eyes saw was enormous! The marching army of Pogonomyrmex Barbatus was destroyed in just one careless
placement of the Homo Sapiens lower appendage. The Homo Sapien was reaching for the hamburger. Although Cyclorrhapha was not yet finished
with the task at hand, the time to leave was now. It withdrew its ovipositors from the hamburger, and halteres on its back began to vibrate vertically
as the powerful fore wings launched Cyclorrhapha forward.
Araneomorphae had been waiting for this moment for a long time. It had seen the activity around the hamburger and knew the time would soon be
coming. Careful planning and engineering and the fibrous protein excreted from its spinnerets had laid the trap. Only patience was now needed to
complete its part of the natural world.
Cyclorrhapha rocketed upward and away from the homo sapien. Away to freedom. Cyclorrhapha knew she could return as soon as the threat was
gone.
The collision came as a surprise to Cyclorrhapha. It had not seen the fibrous protein blocking its way until it was too late. Cyclorrhapha was held fast
to the sticky, fibrous protein. Soon she could feel vibrations and somehow sensed that it was trouble. She struggled but could not free herself. It was
then that she saw Araneomorphae. With renewed strength that could only be generated by the most primal fear, Cycclorrhapha pulled so hard that
one of her fore wings separated from her body. Fear had caused her to mutilate herself. Fear was the last thought she had as Araneomophae sank
fangs into her and injected the tissue dissolving venom.
As I had sat there watching the last struggles of the fly, I wondered how it knew to be fearful of the spider. Sure, from a fly's eye view the spider must
really be something. But on the other hand the fly is no pretty maiden. I also wondered if the ant line I smashed into the ground had any thoughts of
fear just before they became little more than a moist spot among the grass? I had all these thoughts while sitting on the picnic table finishing the now
not so raw hamburger.
There is no doubt that I look at the world a little differently than most other air-breathing animals on this earth. I seem not to be affected by the same
things others find affecting them. I see opportunity where others see danger. Danger where others see opportunity. And when others slow down I
tend to speed up. In fact it could be said that I am a little odd. I wont say it but the High Commander will!
Take the hamburger that I ate after the scene previously mentioned. It tasted fine and I am sure that all the bacteria were killed as the heat from the
bar-b-que cooked them. Although the High Commander saw danger in the eating of the hamburger, I saw an opportunity for a good meal. As she
worried that maybe I should slow down and think about the possible consequences of eating tainted meat, I hurried and plopped the last piece in my
mouth lest she talk me out of it. But the power of suggestion is strong and I began to fear what I had done. I was still hungry but could not bring
myself to eat anymore. Fear had set in and was not going away.
As I thought about it several days later when I could again eat, I realized that I had been subject to "The Power of Suggestion". With little more than
words, fear had been imposed on an otherwise peaceful day. Unlike the fly who had a real and imminent danger at hand, I had been brought down by
mere words. Words spoken out of concern and kindness, nonetheless had a devastating effect. But all was not lost! Of each new experience one
should go away with a little new knowledge. Thus in this case I have learned that the next time I go on picnic with the High Commander I will bring a
pair of earplugs.
The verbal form of "The Power of Suggestion" is not the only way that can be used to inflict fear upon the innocent. Through the study of animal life I
have learned that fear can cause behavior that nothing else could cause. African plains animals have developed the ability to know when a predator is
hungry. Thus giving them the ability to know when to flee and escape. It seems amazing but apparently is true. I believe that there is a simple
answer to the question of how this is true. They can tell by the look on the face of the predator, what is on its mind. Knowing then when fear is
appropriate.
I have experienced this very same thing myself on numerous occasions. By walking across the carpet with muddy boots on, in front of the High
Commander, I have been lifted to new heights of understanding and fear by just the look on her face. I am sure this is the same thing animals see in
the face of a predator. I would endeavor to describe "The Look" here but in the interest of safety and of my concern for others I will not. Besides, all
those married to their own high commanders know what I am talking about.
Certainly then we have learned that there are three ways that the power of suggestion can cause fear. The look on ones face or the words from ones
mouth are two. The other of course is when the fangs of a predator are sinking into you, at which time I suggest that fear is appropriate. Having some
interest in the power of fear, it was with great joy that I accidentally was at the right place recently to observe fear in its many forms.
Thanksgiving not being the normal place and time for the observation of fear, I was not prepared with paper and pencil or for that matter a "Laptop",
so we will only have my memory with which to proceed. That in of itself is a thing to be fearful of.
Having had a day to recover from the gluttonous intake of food, it was decided to take a drive down to the Grand Canyon through the Arizona Strip
country. Apparently, through some mystical power I have, my sisters and daughter all did well in the choice of husbands. My evidence of this was that
all were driving four wheel drive vehicles. Any concerns I had about the rough country we would be going through were eased by this fact. The day
was cool and showed the possibility of rain as we left dad's house. Our convoy being five strong, and all connected with two-way radios, we ventured
forth.
Joyful chatter was heard as we traveled deeper into the Strip. Then it happened. I had a flat tire. This being the 7th flat with this set of tires I was
none too happy. Possibly the tire dealer that sold me the tires should start to fear but that will be for another experiment and need not be furthered
mentioned here. The flat changed we traveled on.
"Wait I remember something from ……from……from….Its just not clear…Things seem to be spinning……Maybe I should just stop!" Oh well!
Little more than half way through our trip we came upon an old one-room schoolhouse. Well it was not so old now because it had burned and was in
the process of being re-built. There was the need by some in the expedition for a bathroom break and since a port-a-potti was strategically located
near the school we stopped.
It started to rain!
Later after I had time to reflect on the days events and my vision had time to clear, the flat tire and the stop at the school would be seen for what they
were. Circumstances! A swirling mass of circumstances! But at the time they were merely events to make the expedition interesting, and to add
character to an otherwise normal day. Soon the expedition was on the move again. We had a small pass ahead to negotiate and then it was downhill to
our destination. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
There was a great intake of oxygen, creating a vacuum within the cab of my truck, as we watched one of the expeditions vehicles begin to slide
backwards and sideways toward the edge of the canyon road. I was convinced that if someone did not exhale soon, those within the cab of my truck
would implode. Leaving only cardboard like images of us to be found.
It was as though everything was in slow motion. I guess the fact that all forward motion had stopped could have had something to do with the illusion.
I on the other hand think it was because of what we were seeing. Something dreadful was about to happen, at least that is what I was thinking at this
point. The High Commander on the other hand had decided that the same fate awaited us and was doing everything she could to remove herself from
the truck. Problem was she was sitting in the back seat and only had the little side window with which to try and extricate herself. Also she was
bloated up from holding her breathe. Try as she might she just could not get through that window. I had great concern she might hurt herself and
break the window.
The truck ahead had stopped just before going over the edge. People were coming out of that truck as though possessed. They seemed really scared
of something. It was then that I saw what was scarring them. Standing along the road next to the truck was an apparition. You know, a ghost like
figure. I can tell you I have never seen anything that scary. It looked something like a BIGFOOT only smaller. As it walked towards us, it was
growing taller. With each step it grew as though it drew energy from the mud it was walking on. There was a mournful wail coming from the creature
that chilled you to the bone.
I was not sure what to do being that my escape route was blocked by other cars behind me. We were doomed and would soon surely die. We could not
even open the doors and run because the vacuum effect in the cab of the truck was still strong and seemed to be getting stronger as the creature
approached us. Luckily someone in the truck exhaled and my eyeballs that had been flattening out, popped back into their normal shape and I was
able to see again. It was then that the creature changed shape herself and I could see it was my sister.
She was shaking and crying and was getting taller as she walked. I had been relieved moments before when I realized it was my sister and not a scary
creature, but she was truly getting taller and I worried that maybe it was a SHAPESHIFTER (we were in Indian country) only using my sisters form
to get close to us. As my mind cleared from the near implosion I was able to see that is was the mud building up on the bottom of her shoes with each
step that gave the illusion of growth. I wanted to give her a hug and tell her that her truck and husband would be all right but her violent shaking made
it hard to get a hold of her. Add to that her increasing height, the mournful wail and well, I was still not sure about the SHAPESHIFTER thing and
thought it wise to be careful, so I left her alone.
Meanwhile we were trying to decide how to get us all out of this mess. We could not make any progress forward and the road was quite narrow and
would be dangerous to turn around on. We needed to somehow get the stricken truck away from the edge before a mild breeze blew it on over. I had
chains with me so I put them on. I decided that with the help of the chains I could get by the stricken truck and pull it up the road until it straightened
out.
It was then that I heard a mournful wail from the inside of my truck. Had the Shapeshifter invaded the inside of my truck? Or maybe someone had
succumbed to the near fatal implosion? Either way I would be needed, so I rushed back to my truck. The wail was coming from the High Commander.
I feared the Shapeshifter had got her! I did not need to fear though, because she had only heard that I had volunteered for the dangerous rescue
mission and thought it would be unacceptable for the High Commander to ride in the rescue vehicle. I suggested that she should get out and walk to
another vehicle and safety. With merely "THE LOOK", a power shapeshifters I am sure have, she informed me that she was not about to get her
clothes dirty in the process of retreating to the safety of another vehicle. Being the good husband that I am and fearful of "THE LOOK" as well as
shapeshifters, I carried her back to safety.
The rescue was performed as planned and after some time, all expedition vehicles were turned around and headed back down the mountain. The High
Commander elected to stay in the safety of the vehicle she was in, fearing I would volunteer for some other dangerous mission.
Back to the safety of the one room school house, I found myself contemplating all the learning that had gone on in this place over the years. Reading,
writing and arithmetic had been taught for many years here and now as I had witnessed, the study of Psychology in the form of an experiment in fear.
What I learned was as I had thought! We all view things differently. While some were shaking uncontrollably and losing vital bodily fluids through the
excretion of tears because of their fear of the situation at hand, others were shaking uncontrollably and losing vital bodily fluids through shouts of joy
and the anticipation of the danger at hand. And though no one tore limbs from their bodies in the attempt to escape the situation, the experiment was
a success nonetheless.
There were some new things learned and I thought I should pass them on in the interest of the advancement of scientific knowledge.
1. There may not be an adequate supply of oxygen with-in the cab of a pickup during emergencies.
2. Earplugs have many uses.
3. Vision can be impaired during implosions.
4. The floor of a one room school house gets very dirty after it rains.
5. Car wash owners do not get as upset as I would have believed, at careless expeditioniers that have left behind enough red mud to build two
adobes mansions. (Possibly this last is because of the mansion our expeditions visit has allowed the owner of the car wash to build for himself.)
6. Lastly, the further study of shapeshifters is needed!
only a few hours now, its flight was somewhat ungainly. It was having trouble signaling the various muscles to control its flight. Second by second
though, its flying was improving and soon the source of the odor would be found.
The piece of uncooked hamburger lying under the picnic table already had visitors when Cyclorrhapha arrived. Nature was in the process of cleaning
its self. Pogonomyrmex Barbatus were quickly taking morsels away to their colony. Prokaryotes were also helping the process of decomposition.
Cyclorrhapha landed and true to its instinctual programming began to lay eggs that would soon become larvae, eating what would be left of the
hamburger.
At first, only one of the 4000 eyes Cyclorrhapha had, detected the threat. Soon more of the eyes began processing the information and delivering that
information to Cyclorrhapha's brain. The time to react was soon approaching.
The threat Cyclorrhapha's compond eyes saw was enormous! The marching army of Pogonomyrmex Barbatus was destroyed in just one careless
placement of the Homo Sapiens lower appendage. The Homo Sapien was reaching for the hamburger. Although Cyclorrhapha was not yet finished
with the task at hand, the time to leave was now. It withdrew its ovipositors from the hamburger, and halteres on its back began to vibrate vertically
as the powerful fore wings launched Cyclorrhapha forward.
Araneomorphae had been waiting for this moment for a long time. It had seen the activity around the hamburger and knew the time would soon be
coming. Careful planning and engineering and the fibrous protein excreted from its spinnerets had laid the trap. Only patience was now needed to
complete its part of the natural world.
Cyclorrhapha rocketed upward and away from the homo sapien. Away to freedom. Cyclorrhapha knew she could return as soon as the threat was
gone.
The collision came as a surprise to Cyclorrhapha. It had not seen the fibrous protein blocking its way until it was too late. Cyclorrhapha was held fast
to the sticky, fibrous protein. Soon she could feel vibrations and somehow sensed that it was trouble. She struggled but could not free herself. It was
then that she saw Araneomorphae. With renewed strength that could only be generated by the most primal fear, Cycclorrhapha pulled so hard that
one of her fore wings separated from her body. Fear had caused her to mutilate herself. Fear was the last thought she had as Araneomophae sank
fangs into her and injected the tissue dissolving venom.
As I had sat there watching the last struggles of the fly, I wondered how it knew to be fearful of the spider. Sure, from a fly's eye view the spider must
really be something. But on the other hand the fly is no pretty maiden. I also wondered if the ant line I smashed into the ground had any thoughts of
fear just before they became little more than a moist spot among the grass? I had all these thoughts while sitting on the picnic table finishing the now
not so raw hamburger.
There is no doubt that I look at the world a little differently than most other air-breathing animals on this earth. I seem not to be affected by the same
things others find affecting them. I see opportunity where others see danger. Danger where others see opportunity. And when others slow down I
tend to speed up. In fact it could be said that I am a little odd. I wont say it but the High Commander will!
Take the hamburger that I ate after the scene previously mentioned. It tasted fine and I am sure that all the bacteria were killed as the heat from the
bar-b-que cooked them. Although the High Commander saw danger in the eating of the hamburger, I saw an opportunity for a good meal. As she
worried that maybe I should slow down and think about the possible consequences of eating tainted meat, I hurried and plopped the last piece in my
mouth lest she talk me out of it. But the power of suggestion is strong and I began to fear what I had done. I was still hungry but could not bring
myself to eat anymore. Fear had set in and was not going away.
As I thought about it several days later when I could again eat, I realized that I had been subject to "The Power of Suggestion". With little more than
words, fear had been imposed on an otherwise peaceful day. Unlike the fly who had a real and imminent danger at hand, I had been brought down by
mere words. Words spoken out of concern and kindness, nonetheless had a devastating effect. But all was not lost! Of each new experience one
should go away with a little new knowledge. Thus in this case I have learned that the next time I go on picnic with the High Commander I will bring a
pair of earplugs.
The verbal form of "The Power of Suggestion" is not the only way that can be used to inflict fear upon the innocent. Through the study of animal life I
have learned that fear can cause behavior that nothing else could cause. African plains animals have developed the ability to know when a predator is
hungry. Thus giving them the ability to know when to flee and escape. It seems amazing but apparently is true. I believe that there is a simple
answer to the question of how this is true. They can tell by the look on the face of the predator, what is on its mind. Knowing then when fear is
appropriate.
I have experienced this very same thing myself on numerous occasions. By walking across the carpet with muddy boots on, in front of the High
Commander, I have been lifted to new heights of understanding and fear by just the look on her face. I am sure this is the same thing animals see in
the face of a predator. I would endeavor to describe "The Look" here but in the interest of safety and of my concern for others I will not. Besides, all
those married to their own high commanders know what I am talking about.
Certainly then we have learned that there are three ways that the power of suggestion can cause fear. The look on ones face or the words from ones
mouth are two. The other of course is when the fangs of a predator are sinking into you, at which time I suggest that fear is appropriate. Having some
interest in the power of fear, it was with great joy that I accidentally was at the right place recently to observe fear in its many forms.
Thanksgiving not being the normal place and time for the observation of fear, I was not prepared with paper and pencil or for that matter a "Laptop",
so we will only have my memory with which to proceed. That in of itself is a thing to be fearful of.
Having had a day to recover from the gluttonous intake of food, it was decided to take a drive down to the Grand Canyon through the Arizona Strip
country. Apparently, through some mystical power I have, my sisters and daughter all did well in the choice of husbands. My evidence of this was that
all were driving four wheel drive vehicles. Any concerns I had about the rough country we would be going through were eased by this fact. The day
was cool and showed the possibility of rain as we left dad's house. Our convoy being five strong, and all connected with two-way radios, we ventured
forth.
Joyful chatter was heard as we traveled deeper into the Strip. Then it happened. I had a flat tire. This being the 7th flat with this set of tires I was
none too happy. Possibly the tire dealer that sold me the tires should start to fear but that will be for another experiment and need not be furthered
mentioned here. The flat changed we traveled on.
"Wait I remember something from ……from……from….Its just not clear…Things seem to be spinning……Maybe I should just stop!" Oh well!
Little more than half way through our trip we came upon an old one-room schoolhouse. Well it was not so old now because it had burned and was in
the process of being re-built. There was the need by some in the expedition for a bathroom break and since a port-a-potti was strategically located
near the school we stopped.
It started to rain!
Later after I had time to reflect on the days events and my vision had time to clear, the flat tire and the stop at the school would be seen for what they
were. Circumstances! A swirling mass of circumstances! But at the time they were merely events to make the expedition interesting, and to add
character to an otherwise normal day. Soon the expedition was on the move again. We had a small pass ahead to negotiate and then it was downhill to
our destination. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
There was a great intake of oxygen, creating a vacuum within the cab of my truck, as we watched one of the expeditions vehicles begin to slide
backwards and sideways toward the edge of the canyon road. I was convinced that if someone did not exhale soon, those within the cab of my truck
would implode. Leaving only cardboard like images of us to be found.
It was as though everything was in slow motion. I guess the fact that all forward motion had stopped could have had something to do with the illusion.
I on the other hand think it was because of what we were seeing. Something dreadful was about to happen, at least that is what I was thinking at this
point. The High Commander on the other hand had decided that the same fate awaited us and was doing everything she could to remove herself from
the truck. Problem was she was sitting in the back seat and only had the little side window with which to try and extricate herself. Also she was
bloated up from holding her breathe. Try as she might she just could not get through that window. I had great concern she might hurt herself and
break the window.
The truck ahead had stopped just before going over the edge. People were coming out of that truck as though possessed. They seemed really scared
of something. It was then that I saw what was scarring them. Standing along the road next to the truck was an apparition. You know, a ghost like
figure. I can tell you I have never seen anything that scary. It looked something like a BIGFOOT only smaller. As it walked towards us, it was
growing taller. With each step it grew as though it drew energy from the mud it was walking on. There was a mournful wail coming from the creature
that chilled you to the bone.
I was not sure what to do being that my escape route was blocked by other cars behind me. We were doomed and would soon surely die. We could not
even open the doors and run because the vacuum effect in the cab of the truck was still strong and seemed to be getting stronger as the creature
approached us. Luckily someone in the truck exhaled and my eyeballs that had been flattening out, popped back into their normal shape and I was
able to see again. It was then that the creature changed shape herself and I could see it was my sister.
She was shaking and crying and was getting taller as she walked. I had been relieved moments before when I realized it was my sister and not a scary
creature, but she was truly getting taller and I worried that maybe it was a SHAPESHIFTER (we were in Indian country) only using my sisters form
to get close to us. As my mind cleared from the near implosion I was able to see that is was the mud building up on the bottom of her shoes with each
step that gave the illusion of growth. I wanted to give her a hug and tell her that her truck and husband would be all right but her violent shaking made
it hard to get a hold of her. Add to that her increasing height, the mournful wail and well, I was still not sure about the SHAPESHIFTER thing and
thought it wise to be careful, so I left her alone.
Meanwhile we were trying to decide how to get us all out of this mess. We could not make any progress forward and the road was quite narrow and
would be dangerous to turn around on. We needed to somehow get the stricken truck away from the edge before a mild breeze blew it on over. I had
chains with me so I put them on. I decided that with the help of the chains I could get by the stricken truck and pull it up the road until it straightened
out.
It was then that I heard a mournful wail from the inside of my truck. Had the Shapeshifter invaded the inside of my truck? Or maybe someone had
succumbed to the near fatal implosion? Either way I would be needed, so I rushed back to my truck. The wail was coming from the High Commander.
I feared the Shapeshifter had got her! I did not need to fear though, because she had only heard that I had volunteered for the dangerous rescue
mission and thought it would be unacceptable for the High Commander to ride in the rescue vehicle. I suggested that she should get out and walk to
another vehicle and safety. With merely "THE LOOK", a power shapeshifters I am sure have, she informed me that she was not about to get her
clothes dirty in the process of retreating to the safety of another vehicle. Being the good husband that I am and fearful of "THE LOOK" as well as
shapeshifters, I carried her back to safety.
The rescue was performed as planned and after some time, all expedition vehicles were turned around and headed back down the mountain. The High
Commander elected to stay in the safety of the vehicle she was in, fearing I would volunteer for some other dangerous mission.
Back to the safety of the one room school house, I found myself contemplating all the learning that had gone on in this place over the years. Reading,
writing and arithmetic had been taught for many years here and now as I had witnessed, the study of Psychology in the form of an experiment in fear.
What I learned was as I had thought! We all view things differently. While some were shaking uncontrollably and losing vital bodily fluids through the
excretion of tears because of their fear of the situation at hand, others were shaking uncontrollably and losing vital bodily fluids through shouts of joy
and the anticipation of the danger at hand. And though no one tore limbs from their bodies in the attempt to escape the situation, the experiment was
a success nonetheless.
There were some new things learned and I thought I should pass them on in the interest of the advancement of scientific knowledge.
1. There may not be an adequate supply of oxygen with-in the cab of a pickup during emergencies.
2. Earplugs have many uses.
3. Vision can be impaired during implosions.
4. The floor of a one room school house gets very dirty after it rains.
5. Car wash owners do not get as upset as I would have believed, at careless expeditioniers that have left behind enough red mud to build two
adobes mansions. (Possibly this last is because of the mansion our expeditions visit has allowed the owner of the car wash to build for himself.)
6. Lastly, the further study of shapeshifters is needed!
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Animal Behanvoir