Relatively Minor
Laughter does not have to come from a major source. It could indeed be ... relatively minor.
Act III, scene 1 of Shakespeare’s tragic play “Hamlet”, contains the famous quote, “To be, or not to be.” This famous quote unexpectedly came to mind as I dived into the driver’s seat of my car, narrowly avoiding a wasp hovering menacingly around the area. I might humorously alter the phrase to fit the situation: “To bee, or not to bee.”
After securing the driver’s seat and quickly getting my bearings, I caught my breath. I couldn’t help but notice the wasp perched on my car’s left rear view mirror, captivated by its reflection. There it was, gazing at itself in the mirror – possibly for the first time – engaged in profound self-discovery. The black and yellow striped creature appeared to admire its slim waistline, even slicking back its antennae, perhaps to enhance its appearance. Maybe it was getting ready for a hot date, optimistic with someone its size, though it seemed to have taken a fancy to me. Dressed in Winterset’s colors, perhaps it thought I was game for a night out at the Honey Lounge, the new establishment recently opened south of the downtown square. They offer a fermented beverage made with honey where we could share a few drinks and leave ... buzzed.
After the incident, I learned that wasps sting to catch their prey. The poison they inject paralyzes their victim, making transportation back to the nest easier. This made me laugh; an insect measuring one to two and a half centimeters long certainly wouldn’t take me anywhere, let alone back to its nest.
A few weeks later, driving out of town, a wasp landed on my windshield. Did I encounter the same insect as before? Was I the target of a stalker?
Was I unknowingly part of a sting operation?
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