Fierce Little Worm

Grandma J was known for her placid nature. Her family never mentioned her being rattled. The same couldn’t be said for Grandpa J. His family was wary of his outbursts. It would have been interesting to observe the two one particular afternoon as they worked together in their garden.

Grandma was chopping weeds along the fence when she set aside her hoe and called out to Grandpa.

“ Well, would you look at this fierce little worm? I’ve never seen a worm act like this!” He turned to see her holding up a small “worm” wiggling vigorously trying its best connect with her wrist.

“Throw it down! Throw it down!” He shrieked, rushing toward her. “It’s a snake! It’s gonna bite you.!”

Grandma dropped the snake, and backed up. Grandpa hurried over, brandishing his hoe. This was before the days of conservation and concern for preservation of endangered animals. He chopped up Grandma’s baby rattlesnake and dug into its brotherhood of tiny rattlesnakes cuddled up in their cozy den with their loving Mother, ushering the family into their reptile afterlife with his hoe.

So much for her fierce little worm.