The Grashopper and the Beetle

I was sitting on the ground pulling away some “hasjiesj” when a beetle came to me and complained about loosing his work and home (it is now a matter of days before the weeding job is finished).

“Ach”, said the grasshopper, “stop complaining. Me too, I had to move to another spot. I moved to the green grass that’s growing between rocks at the side of the white road. It is only temporarily, because I have plans. You should know, this place is being turned into a camping. Soon foreigners will come by in their vehicles. I hope to pick up some Italian and then hop on a car to move to Italy. They say the Italian females are very pretty. I’ll find me a nice one and hope to spend the rest of my years over there.”

“That’ll be fine for you”, replied the beetle, “ but I have children to feed. I cannot just hop on a car and move away. I have to collect, have a home, here on this very spot.”

Grasshopper : “Why on this very spot ? Is it too hard to move to next doors ? No problem of finding food and a home over there. The wife of the owner is very lazy. She doesn’t weed out the garden.”

Beetle : “That’s too far away for my children to go to school. Besides, soon the neighbour’s daughters will take over and I heard the eldest one is a good worker.”

Grasshopper : “What are you saying ! What school your children are going to now ?”

Beetle : “It is not really a school. They are following the English lessons the Foreigner is giving regularly to some children. I myself I’m learning to count to ten and already know how to say “hello””.

Grasshopper : “Why do your children need to know English ?”.

Beetle : “I want them to have a better life than me. Look at me, I’m getting old and weary. Staying around this place would make it easier for my children. Tourists leave trash and other remains. If my children understand when some tourists are leaving, they could be ready to collect anything they can use before the Foreigner arrives to clean up the place. I could stay here and enjoy the rest of my life not worrying.”

Grasshopper : “All right. Come and live with me. I’m not staying long anyway and there is enough room for the both of us and your children.”