Thursday, August 19, 2021

Paper wasps on the run! Or was it the other way around?

Paper wasps on the run!
Or was it the other way around?
Dr Abe V Rotor

This happened to me -  rather, this was what I did - when I was five or six - perhaps younger, because I didn't know why I attacked a colony of putakti or alimpipinig (Ilk). It was raw courage called bravado when you put on courage on something without weighing the consequences. It was hatred dominating reason, motivated by revenge. 

I was sweeping the yard near a chico tree when I suddenly felt pain above my eye. No one had ever warned me of paper wasps, and I hadn’t been stung before. 

Paper wasp (Polistes), family Vespidae, Order Hymenoptera (Internet photo)

I retreated, instinctively got a bikal bamboo and attacked their papery nest, but every time I got close to it I got stung.  I don’t know how many times I attacked the enemy, each time with more fury, and more stings, until dad saw me.  I took refuge in his strong arms sobbing.  I was lucky, kids my size can’t take many stings. There are cases bee poison can cause the heart to stop. ~

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