“Yes! There is,” I lied, “and if the police find out you killed a spider today they will come to the house and arrest you!” I released his small hand that fit within my own, immediately feeling guilty about my fib. Joey stood stiff and silent, staring nervously at the minute leggy creature spinning a web, no doubt imagining the police pulling away from our home with him all alone in the back seat. My stomach tightened as I realized my comment was probably a little rough for a four-year-old. I’m sure when he ends up in counseling my spontaneous lie will come back to haunt me! However, I have always had a deep respect and admiration for living creatures, which has grown considerably since having children of my own.

“Lets bring him outside so he can find his family,” I gently suggested.  Joey smiled at the thought. I knew at that very moment I had just saved hundreds of insects from the fate that this lucky little spider had just escaped.

© 2007 Laura Ripes. Original for CCF (Ripes grants CCF first electronic rights for one month; CCF may archive the material indefinitely and include it in an eBook anthology).