The Fly And The Mosquito

Grandfather heard Little Cloud outside the tee-pee. He was playing quietly. Little Cloud was whispering to himself.

"I hope Grandfather can take a walk with me today," Little cloud said. Looking up, he saw Neshoba, the wolf he had befriended. She was sitting just inside the woods just a few steps away from Grandfather's home. Without a sound Little Cloud tiptoed toward Neshoba.

The boy squatted down facing Neshoba. He held out his hand for the majestic gray wolf to sniff before making a sound. "Hello, girl."

The wild animal did not growl, did not run, did not hunker down as if to attack. She simply sat back on her haunches as if to sit down for a friendly conversation.

"Today is the day Grandfather promised to take us for a walk," Little Cloud began. "I wonder where we will go today? I hope it is to the river's edge and maybe we will even go fishing and catch the biggest fish ever!" Neshoba gently howled as if in agreement.

"You cannot jump and splash in the water until Grandfather says it is okay," Little Cloud said as if he knew what Neshoba was thinking. Neshoba dropped her bushy tail a little in disappointment, but made no effort to leave.

"What are you two plotting?" a voice spoke from nowhere.

Little Cloud jumped up startled. Grandfather, you frightened me.

"Young braves should learn to listen carefully with their ears even when they are using their mouths. An enemy could overtake you before you knew he was there."

"Yes, Grandfather," Little Cloud said dropping his head in shame. "Talk quieter, listen louder. I see I must practice our last lesson much more before I have it mastered."

"You are wise my grandson. Many braves much older than you cannot see the error of their ways and thus close off learning all they might. I have faith you will listen better in the future."

Grandfather nodded toward the wolf. "Neshoba seems in a hurry to be on our way walking today."

"I told her perhaps we would go to the river today," Little Cloud looked up at his grandfather in expectation.

"Perhaps we may," Grandfather answered.

"What shall I learn today, Grandfather? What will be my lesson at the water's edge?"

"Great Spirit shall provide the lesson. It will be a surprise to you and to me. Who knows, perhaps the lesson will be for the old and not the young today."

"But Grandfather, you are very wise. The warriors, the women, the children and the young braves all seek you out for knowledge. You already know everything!"

"No, Little Cloud. A truely wise man never stops learning. There is always another lesson if we only seek it."

Finding a shady spot underneath the willow tree at the rivers edge, the three knowledge seekers sat quietly watching the calm water and soaking up the peace until their ears captured a loud buzzing sound. *#1

A mosquito swooped down in front of them seeming not to have seen them at all. A fly was close behind him.

"A mosquito is by far the best insect!" the mosquito spat.

"What could ever make you think that when every creature knows the fly is superior?" the fly argued. "Mosquitoes are pesky. They are too small to be of any use."

"Just why do you think size makes a fly any better?" the misquito bit back.

"Why, it makes one look sleeker, more defined. Just look at how my wings show up so much better than yours. You can see my wonderul emerald green head and enormous black eyes. You cannot even consider that I am not more handsome than any mosquito could ever dream of being?"

"I suppose it is all in taste." replied the mosquito sharply. " I rather think you look more like an overgrown fruit fly or an undergrown horsefly. You are far from being handsome! Your mother must have told you that. Mothers only see what they wish in their children."

"At least I am better looking than any old mosquito! Why, you are so small, it is hard to see you at all. You cannot buzz nearly as loud as even the smallest of flies. Your wings are flimsy, tiny, thin," the fly made a grimace not knowing how else to describe the inferior wings any better.

"Well, my nose is sharper and I can pierce a human's skin and draw out his blood before you can ever use your awkward pinchers. I can light, feed, and fly before a human knows I am there. You can't do that!" the mosquito yelled.

"Who wants to?" the fly asked. " A fly eats a huge variety of foods. Don't you mosquitoes get tired of the same thing to eat every meal? Keep your ugly, long, sharp, pointy snout!"

"And what about where you are born? A fly can hatch most any place, while a misquito has to hatch in dirty water. Echh!"

"Well, you seem to be enjoying the water's edge just now!" Misquito shot back.

"Flys are better!" Fly screamed.

"Are not!"

"Are too!"

Slurrrp!

Neshoba shook her head as if she didn't believe what she had just seen.

Little Cloud caught his breath and his eyes became large as the moon.

Grandfather laughed from deep within his stomach and looked at Little Cloud.

Little Cloud laughted too.

A green frog hidden beneath the lush, green grass growing at the edge of the water had stopped the fight in a second by flicking out his long tongue and swallowing the fly and the mosquito in one swallow.

"What lesson was this Grandfather?" Little Cloud asked still giggling.

"You tell me. What did you learn from the fly and the mosquito today?"

"Thinking you are better than anyone else and bragging can make you another's prey," the young brave answered. "Is that right, Grandfather?"

"It is, but that was another day's lesson we already learned. What else could you learn from the fly and the misquito?"

Neshoba cocked her head to the side as if she too was awaiting Grandfather's answer.

"What, Grandfather, what else can I learn from today?"

"That every creature, even an insect has a purpose. You and I see only pesky insects when we see the fly and the mosquito. The frog sees a tasty treat. Great Spirit has a purpose for something as annoying as a mosquito, as undesirable as a fly. Without these, Mr. Frog may have gone hungry today. Great Spirit has a great plan for everything and everyone."

"Even for a boy like me?" Little Cloud asked.

"Especially for a boy like you Little Cloud. You have a gift. It is not everyone who can befriend wolf as you have Neshoba. It is not every boy or man who can sit still at the water's edge and seek knowledge. It is not everyone who can ask questions then listen to the answers. Great Spirit has a purpose for you. You will be a wise leader one day."

Neshoba perked up her ears. Hearing a noise, she scurried into the bushes of the woods.

Grandfather and Little Cloud turned to see Grandmother waving to them. "Come and eat. You two have learned enough for one morning."