[FF] Humbug

[Rhoda]

There's something liberating about watching a common fly. I don't mean physically liberating, because there's no means of imprisonment on that front; take off your pants and feel free. No, I am actually referring to the liberation of personality. I would watch many a fly land on the wall, turn slightly and then take off once again, not satisfied with where it was. Nothing at all wrong with that, as humans often move residence, but to do this every twelve seconds is a tad un-nerving to say the least.

 

I recall one day I would watch this particularly troublesome fly, circling my lamp which had began to flicker under repetitive use. One at a time it would complete a spontaneous ring, a ring that seemed like completely new territory to something as small and humble as a fly. As I would observe, I would be awash with envy until I realise just how good I have things sometimes.

 

I then think of the loneliness and fear a fly must experience in periods, such as when you're cleaning your house with something as seemingly simple as a vacuum cleaner. I know you've caught one, either on purpose with malice in mind or even through accident, with innocence instead on your brain. Then picture the simple rendition of the many starving spiders and sticky toffees you've collected in your so called "bag of tricks" over the weeks and months. Hungry doesn't come close.

 

I knew a spider enthusiast once. He died through a bite on the wrist by one of his own. He would tell me the tale I'm telling you right now, and the wave of panic hit me. Yes, that's correct; hit me. Me. A grown man. A man who would make any common household spider cower. Why would I show compassion for a fly, stuck to a humbug, the fear lingering as a fresh stench in the air?

Could I relate? Of course not, because humans would have no boundaries. If I found a humbug big enough to stick me to, I would most likely sell it on the internet, not worry if a ten metre spider would be out on a merry stroll.

 

But I keep thinking. Thinking is the downfall of anyone, I think. Spiders like to play games, I know this first-hand. I would be making a fresh cup of coffee for example, and then notice a dark mark on the floor move slowly away as if it was waiting for me to notice it. Paranoia kicks in of course, but that is exactly the thing that makes me wonder just what the little fly stuck to the humbug must feel, growing slowly insane through terror.

 

"Just kill me", I imagine it would say. Pleading perhaps.

 

Spiders play games. I imagine there would be at least two in the vacuum cleaner on the prowl, nibbling dust. A succulent meal drops down from the heavens that put them in purgatory. Me and you, creatures of instinct, would rush to it and pick it apart bone from bone, though spiders are decidedly more cunning. They know the meal that has been served them is going nowhere; if there was a way out, it would have been found by now. Instead, they wait, feeding not from the juice of the fly but the fear it emits.

 

Just kill me. Terror through insanity. Just make it quick.

[Eminence]

Very, very nice Craig. I just love the way you've taken this common observation of the fly and built a whole persona and story around it, linking it in with the fear and then the idea of insanity that comes from it. There's a lot to digest in there, but it's all told well. The whole 'insane' aspect of it's what's most interesting; simply the unconventional, abstract method of delivery - the almost schizophrenic skips in the narrative. Nice work.

[Omnia sunt Communia]

I like it. There's something about comparing the human race to a simple fly that puts life into perspective. I especially loved this line:

 

 

If I found a humbug big enough to stick me to, I would most likely sell it on the internet, not worry if a ten metre spider would be out on a merry stroll.

[El Zilcho]

I actually took mercy on a fly just a week ago, letting it flying away rather than killing it. I can also relate to the fear of Spiders, I have Arachnophobia myself (to an extent). It was a very good and detailed piece, I loved it

Edited July 9, 2009 by El Zilcho

[Sanjeem]

I actually took mercy on a fly just a week ago, letting it flying away rather than killing it. I can also relate to the fear of Spiders, I have Arachnophobia myself (to an extent). It was a very good and detailed piece, I loved it

whenever i have the option to killa fly or any other small animal, I just think to myself, Remember the Ways of Buddha... And since 2 years ago i have never even squashed one, or definatly not intentionally.