THE PRAYING MANTIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20426, 30 November 1929, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE PRAYING MANTIS.

By ELSIE WARING, Age 13 years., Gt. South Ed., Manu'rewa. (Original.)

Out of the falling rain, into the welllit room she cainc, her dainty pale green and orange dress covered with shining rain-drops. She carefully preened her tiny purple vest as she clung to a spray of fern which was grouped with some flowers in a rose bowl, arid gazed around. She raised her slender fore-legs as if she was praying, and swayed her head from side to side, watching Syery new object. Three persons noticed her, one of. whom exclaimed, " Quick! Look at the praying mantis." The/mantis was indeed praying that she could escape into the open air. " Poor little mantis" said the child kindly. " I'll put her out." Snipping off the piece of fern with Mrs. Mantis on it she dropped her outside on the grass. The little insect flew slowly homo, and next morning, to an interested audience she recited her adventures. The

grey-blue grass moths listened attentively and kept, saying:

" Really!" \ "Just fancy that!" Mr. Mantis rudely said " I don't believo a word of it. my dear." This made Mrs. Mantis very angry and she attacked her husband, then proceeded to eat him.

" I?atlier tough !" she mused to herself. Then seeing the moths' horrified looks she said :

" Don't look like that my dears. It's nothing to worry about. He was always in the way."

So saying site wiped her feelers and mouth on a chrysanthemum leaf, and calm Ij' flew away.