-Brian Mendonça
When we speak of nature or imagine it we are prone to wax
eloquent on the beauty of a sunrise, the gaiety of a wild flower or the
blessing of a rainbow. There are, however, more denizens of the natural world
this autumn which merit our attention.
When I opened the windows at first light the other day, as
I was rolling up the mosquito net, I froze. In between the mesh and the windows
-- which we keep closed to discourage the rats from entering the house – was a
stick of green, which was not supposed to be there. As it moved in its ever so
stately way I shrank back.
Upon closer inspection the reed-like entity about 5
inches, seemed to be a praying mantis. So called because the insect seems to be
in the aspect of prayer, this one was in no hurry to move out. I hurriedly put
the mesh down. After a few furtive jabs through the mesh the mantis was ejected
from the sill of our second floor flat to the dense shrubbery below which is
also home to a tribe of bandicoots.
As I opened the second window opposite, I noticed a lizard
scurry behind the window pane. No doubt it was biding its time before I moved
away, to invade the house with all the time at its disposal. Two of the
lizards’ constant ‘homes’ are behind the wall clock in the hall and behind the
frame of Jesus and Mary at the altar. Their droppings jostle for space among
candle stands and objects of veneration. With each passing day they grow bolder
(and larger), and woe betide the one who switches on the kitchen light at dawn!
The third window in our bedroom revealed what looked like
a moth. It was brown, its two wings in perfect symmetry with an exquisite
pattern of red on them. It perhaps was a butterfly emerging out of a chrysalis.
As I opened the door to the balcony, it fluttered and lingered on the parapet,
as if reluctant to begin the day or say goodbye.
Seated in the hall I towards dusk, my attention was drawn
by my son to a whirring sound near the tube light. Looming over a battlefield
of tiny insects attracted by the light, was a majestic dragonfly pleading,
rather unsuccessfully, with the tube light to come out to dinner.
I don’t see why people get bored sitting at home. Every
room has a different quality of light, a different visitor – if you look hard
enough. Down in the garage, the termites are having a field day running zigzag
patterns eating their way through the wood work.
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Published in the weekly feature 'On My Mind' in Gomantak Times Weekender St. Inez, Goa on Sunday, 18 October 2015. Pix of bee on wildflower at applejade(dot)wordpress.com
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