Absurd or Humane?
Absurd or Humane?
One morning after finishing breakfast, I was on my way out the door when I noticed a small black spider on the wall next to the entrance. Most people would grab something and swat the little creature. Personally, I don't like to kill spiders, since they cause no harm and carry no diseases. My spiritual beliefs have taught me that all creatures possess varying levels of consciousness and emotion and that it is better to let them be. However, my home is my personal space, and I don't like to share it with crawling things. When such uninvited guests appear, I try to transport them safely back to nature without harming them.
This particular spider turned out to be more of a challenge than I anticipated. When I picked up a piece of paper to slide under the spider so that I could carry it outside, it felt endangered and hid under the floor lamp before I could get to it. I had very little time to waste, so I let it be, hoping it might find its own way outside.
That evening when I returned home, I turned on the lights and found the spider on the same wall. I picked up a piece of paper and again attempted my transport scenario. The spider sensed danger and ran toward the right. I moved quickly and placed the paper directly in its path. The spider stopped and ran the other way. I followed it and intercepted its path again. The chase lasted for a few seconds until finally the spider was trapped in a corner. It tried desperately to escape, but there was no way out.
As soon as the spider stepped onto the paper, I quickly lifted it and headed toward the door. As I opened the door, I checked to make sure that it had not fallen during its ordeal. I saw the tips of the spider's legs clutching the paper's edge, as a human would if he were dangling from the roof of a ten-story building. I was amused and at the same time humbled by the behavior of this little creature, whose instinct to survive had led it to face what may have been its greatest challenge since the beginning of its life on Earth as a spider. I shook the paper slightly, and the spider fell to the ground and ran to seek shelter. I bid it farewell and closed the door, wondering whether it would ever venture into my space again.
Do you think I wasted my time? Do you think my actions were absurd? Or would you describe them as humane? The answer lies deep within your heart, only to be revealed when you encounter a spider on your wall.
One morning after finishing breakfast, I was on my way out the door when I noticed a small black spider on the wall next to the entrance. Most people would grab something and swat the little creature. Personally, I don't like to kill spiders, since they cause no harm and carry no diseases. My spiritual beliefs have taught me that all creatures possess varying levels of consciousness and emotion and that it is better to let them be. However, my home is my personal space, and I don't like to share it with crawling things. When such uninvited guests appear, I try to transport them safely back to nature without harming them.
This particular spider turned out to be more of a challenge than I anticipated. When I picked up a piece of paper to slide under the spider so that I could carry it outside, it felt endangered and hid under the floor lamp before I could get to it. I had very little time to waste, so I let it be, hoping it might find its own way outside.
That evening when I returned home, I turned on the lights and found the spider on the same wall. I picked up a piece of paper and again attempted my transport scenario. The spider sensed danger and ran toward the right. I moved quickly and placed the paper directly in its path. The spider stopped and ran the other way. I followed it and intercepted its path again. The chase lasted for a few seconds until finally the spider was trapped in a corner. It tried desperately to escape, but there was no way out.
As soon as the spider stepped onto the paper, I quickly lifted it and headed toward the door. As I opened the door, I checked to make sure that it had not fallen during its ordeal. I saw the tips of the spider's legs clutching the paper's edge, as a human would if he were dangling from the roof of a ten-story building. I was amused and at the same time humbled by the behavior of this little creature, whose instinct to survive had led it to face what may have been its greatest challenge since the beginning of its life on Earth as a spider. I shook the paper slightly, and the spider fell to the ground and ran to seek shelter. I bid it farewell and closed the door, wondering whether it would ever venture into my space again.
Do you think I wasted my time? Do you think my actions were absurd? Or would you describe them as humane? The answer lies deep within your heart, only to be revealed when you encounter a spider on your wall.
Actually, I have come to recognize that such harmless looking insects are not necessarily harmless. Some of the smallest spiders have a nasty painful bite. However, I do try to treat them humanly because them do prey on other insects that I find bothersome. But, I also respect them and handle them with care.
Sometime in the past, some nasty little pest of unknown original and species bit me and I now suffer rhuematoid like pain that comes and goes. And that is why I choose not to share my space with these energetic little guys.
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Ron, I am with you 100% about sharing my space with such creatures and the respect we need to give them. Also, recognizing that they are God's creation with their own intelligence and share of suffering.
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