Athena and Insects

Athena has always thought bugs, insects, creepy crawlies were cute. Babies (human), no. But insects, yes. Which is really cool, actually. To be different from most girls. It’s awesome!

She’s nine years old now. She still thinks they are cute. She likes to find and catch them and ask “Isn’t it so cute, mom?” I have to answer “no.” lol

Well, recently she had two experiences that just might make her like them a little less (though, I hope not). First, a couple weeks ago, she was attacked by a flying cockroach. Usually the roaches in our house are already dying because of the poison I set out. But this one in the kitchen was very active. And it creeped her out. She did not like that thing flying at her and on her. She screamed and ran from the kitchen and didn’t want to be in the kitchen the rest of the day.

Then a couple of days ago Athena and I were on the back porch. She stuck her hand inside her roller skate and found and unwelcomed surprise. A giant spider was inside! She was terrified. I thought she must have been bitten by it. But she wasn’t. She was simply terrified at grabbing and removing such a large spider from her skate. When I saw it first it looked completely dead. Balled up without movement. “It’s dead!” I told her. Then I poked it slightly and it did move just a tiny bit. “Almost dead” I added. Athena then informed me that spiders “do that”…they play dead where terrified. So, it had terrified her and she had terrified it?!
She was shaking and crying. I had to hug her and comfort her. The spider lay lifeless. Strong in his rouse. Athena wanted to prove her theory so she bravely approached the spider with a stick and poked it three or four times then it finally spread out it’s super long legs and began to run into the grass and away from us. It was just playing dead!! It was huge! Athena freaked out again. She was so shook up! She was scared even in the house and when she tried to sleep that night.

She is such a smart person! She knows so much about creatures of the earth. She loves learning about them via youtube and videos. I think she will grow up to do something with animals and something with bugs even if just as hobbies.