Praying Mantis and the Lamb

Praying Mantis and the Lamb

This is the story of the lamb and the praying mantis.

Once upon a time, in a beautiful meadow, lived baby Lamb and baby Praying Mantis. One day while skipping in the thick grass of the meadow, baby Mantis met baby Lamb eating. At first, Lamb was scared because of Mantis’ small but growing claws. Mantis assured him that his claws were totally harmless and the two began a blooming friendship.

Day after day, Mantis would spend countless hours exploring the forest of white thick cloud growing on Lamb’s back. As Lamb skipped through the meadows, Mantis would enjoy the roller coaster. As Lamb rested, Mantis would use his developing claws to sometimes tickle Lamb’s belly and other times to scratch his itching woolen back.

One day, Mantis flew off to grab a snack. Mantis was always very quick so as not to be apart from Lamb for too long; they really enjoyed each other's company. This time when Mantis returned, Lamb was lying down, very sad and without any wool.

“What happened, Lamb?”

“I’m not sure. They just took my wool. I’m cold and I feel so naked.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Do you think it will grow back?”

Mantis started to tickle Lamb’s bare belly. “I’m sure of it.”

Lamb chuckled, rose to his feet, and started running through the meadow again. Without Lamb’s thick wool to hold onto, Mantis faithfully flew by his side every day for the next month until Lamb’s wool grew back, thicker and whiter than ever. The two could once again enjoy their time together like before.

On another sunny day, Lamb heard the bell that signaled lunchtime and ran off. Lamb promised Mantis he would return right away. Mantis snacked and took to silent meditation on a green blade of grass, soaking up the sun. With huge eyes closed and embracing the gentle breeze, Mantis felt a sudden thump on the ground beneath.

Upon opening his eyes, Mantis noticed Lamb lying there, bald once again and sadder than the first time. Lamb’s eyes were cold, empty, and traumatized. Mantis thought it best to just lie beside him in silence until Lamb was ready to speak. For the entire day, Mantis lay there waiting for Lamb to speak, skipping meals and losing sleep.

Finally, Lamb broke the silence.

“I didn’t think it would happen again. And this time I walked right into it.”

“It’s not your fault,” Mantis said. “Hey, maybe there’s some good to come out of this.”

“I just wasn’t sure how I could get through it again. It’s humiliating. I feel so, so vulnerable.”

“It’s just me and you out here. There’s no need to feel ashamed. I don’t think any differently of you. I trust you will only grow stronger.”

“Thanks, Mantis,” Lamb said. “I can feel myself regaining strength. When I first laid down, I had hoped I would never get back up, that my wool would never grow again. It just hurts too much. But I know it’s going to be okay.”

“That’s right. And I’m with you every step of the way. I think it’s time we eat.”

Lamb got up and Mantis flew off for a highly anticipated meal. Time would go by and Lamb’s wool coat would once again grow back rich and full.

As Mantis and Lamb went about their days as they always did, Mantis noticed a different pep in Lamb’s step. Lamb was becoming more risky and adventurous. Lamb would sometimes stray from the meadow and jump in piles of mud and run through thorny bushes, ruining his beautiful white coat. Mantis found this fun at first, but as the months passed, he noticed this behavior was becoming more reckless and frequent. Something was wrong.

One bright morning, Mantis and Lamb woke up to another day of adventure. As they talked about their plans for the day, Mantis noticed Lamb’s coat had become rather thick.

“Aren’t you hot with all of that wool on you?” he asked

Lamb shook his head. “Not a tiny bit. I can barely tell the difference.”

So they went about their day playing and leaping through the meadows, but that day was different. Before noon, Lamb was already fatigued and couldn’t run around anymore.

The two found shade resting on the soft green grass.

“Lamb, you’re already exhausted. So early!.. Are you feeling okay?” Mantis asked.

“Yeah. Feeling just fine.”

Mantis could tell that Lamb’s response wasn’t very confident.

“Maybe all this extra wool is weighing you down?” he suggested.

“No way.”

The two went on to play throughout the day, taking frequent rests for the weary Lamb.

One dark night, the two laid down to sleep. Just before dawn, Lamb woke up to use the restroom. He walked a considerable distance so as to not wake up Mantis.

Lamb returned a short time later, still before dawn, excitedly waking up Mantis.

“Come on, let’s play!”

“It’s not even morning yet. Ten more minutes,” Mantis grunted.

Lamb insisted. “Why waste the day? Let’s start now!”

Mantis, compelled by Lamb’s newfound energy, got up and opened his eyes only to realize that Lamb was without his wool coat once again.

“Lamb! What happened to your coat?”

“That dumb thing. Who knows, who cares?”

“Are you okay?”

“Do I look okay? Of course. Come on, let’s go.”

They paused there, looking at each other for a moment. Mantis eventually broke the staring contest, feeling like Lamb was looking right through him.

Mantis spread his wings in preparation to fly and the two took off racing through the meadows. Unlike other fun sunny days, that day felt silent even with all of the laughter.

Lamb’s detached behavior went on for a while. Mantis would occasionally ask if Lamb was alright, and Lamb, with empty eyes and a seemingly forced smile, would always answer, “Just fine.” Eventually, Lamb’s wool coat grew back. Mantis hoped this would spark something in Lamb to resurrect his old self. Instead, Lamb grew increasingly silent.

One sunny day, the old lunch bell rang and Lamb ran off without a word toward the sound of the bell. Mantis, confused by Lamb’s behavior, waited in the meadow for hours to make sure Lamb was okay. Lamb had never taken this long to eat and return.

As the sun began to set, Lamb returned slowly, smiling and without his wool coat.

“Lamb! What happened?” Mantis asked. “Why did you leave in such a rush and take so long to get back? I was so worried.”

“It’s ok. I just went to eat lunch.”

“And what about your wool coat? It’s gone again! I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m fine. Good night.”

Lamb laid down and went straight to sleep, no late-night laughter that night. Mantis laid down on the pink skin of Lamb’s back, but could not sleep that night. Something was wrong and he didn’t know what and worse, he didn’t know what to do. Mantis awaited the rising sun, anticipating the hope a new day may bring.

Lamb woke up later than usual. As had been Lamb’s routine for the weeks previous, he asked Mantis to begin the day with him, not even noticing Mantis’ deep concern and fatigue. As always, Mantis prepped his wings for flight. This went on for months as Lamb’s idea of fun days grew more reckless and their friendship grew more silent.

Lamb would go to get his beautiful wool coat shaved as soon as it grew back. They would go to sleep in silence, Lamb would wake up later in the day, and Mantis just kept flying by his side.

One gloomy day, Mantis told Lamb he was going to grab a snack and would be back quickly. Before he could finish his statement, Mantis was already taking flight. Mantis figured Lamb wouldn’t acknowledge or notice his departure, just like the many days prior.

“Wait!” Lamb called. “I’m going to go with you.”

“Why? You want to go with me? The forest is no place for a lamb.”

“It’s alright. I just want to get away for a little while.”

“Ok. I guess. But be careful and let’s be quick.”

Lamb followed Mantis into the forest as Mantis looked for an afternoon snack. Once Mantis had his fill, he turned to Lamb to head back to the meadow. With a look of curiosity and sadness, Lamb said,“Let’s stay a little longer. I kind of like it out here.”

“Are you sure?” Mantis asked. “It gets pretty spooky. We should get back.”

Lamb remained silent as he ventured further into the forest. Mantis nervously followed at a close distance to watch after Lamb, but knowing that he couldn’t really protect him if real danger approached. As night fell, Mantis insisted they go back. Lamb insisted they stay. Mantis noticed that Lamb seemed different, almost happy and comfortable, but unsure.

Lamb and Mantis stayed in the forest that night. Mantis didn’t sleep.

The next morning, Lamb woke up early, somewhat excited, and asked Mantis to go exploring with him deeper into the forest. Mantis resisted at first.

“I haven’t even gone that far. We shouldn’t.”

“Come on. It’ll be fun,” Lamb said. “Plus, I’m happy out here.”

Lamb and Mantis went deeper into the forest. They remained there for about a month and Lamb learned to eat new food that the forest offered.

“Your wool coat, it’s back!” Mantis exclaimed.

“I know!” Lamb said excitedly. Mantis noticed Lamb’s sincere joy. “I love the way it looks out here. And there’s no one to take it!”

They played in the forest all day like old times. Mantis would sleep happy that night as he seemed to have gotten his friend back.

After more and more time in the forest, Mantis noticed Lamb’s exhaustion again.

“Hey Lamb. I notice you’re getting tired quicker again. I think that coat is getting too heavy, it’s starting to cover your eyes. You know, my claws have become quite sharp. If you’d like, I can trim it down for you. What do you say?”

“No. That’s okay. I wouldn’t want to burden you with that. Plus, I’m okay. I like it.”

Mantis would ask again occasionally so as not to push, just to be met with rejection. After a long time, Lamb was becoming too tired to even get up in the mornings.

“Hey Lamb. Are you sure you don’t want me to cut this coat for you? It looks mighty heavy.”

“Just stop, Mantis! How many times have I told you NO? Just because you don’t like it or think it’s best for me means nothing.”

Mantis whispered sadly under his breath: “I was just trying to help.”

Over the next few days, Lamb and Mantis did not travel very far; Lamb’s coat had grown too heavy for him to walk.

“Mantis, I’m hungry.”

“Let me cut your coat and you’ll be lighter and able to walk!”

“No, no, no. I like my coat. Can you just get me something to eat?”

Mantis, frustrated, flew off. He finds a patch of grass and begins to cut one blade at a time and delivers them to Lamb. By the end of the day, Mantis had tirelessly only delivered a handful of grass. Lamb was still very hungry.

Night fell. Lamb was fast asleep.

Mantis stayed up worried, concocting a courageous strategy for helping his friend. Early the next sunny morning, Mantis prepared to confront Lamb. Just before Mantis descended from the tree above, he noticed kid Wolf approaching. Wolf poked at Lamb, waking him. Mantis watched from above in horror.

“Are you alive?” Wolf asked.

Lamb replied, “Yeah, just tired, sort of hanging out.”

“What a beautiful white coat you have. I would love to have a coat like that.”

“Thanks. It’s actually gotten pretty heavy.”

“Oh no. Would you like me to trim it down for you?”

“I would love that! Thank you!” Lamb exclaimed.

Wolf brandished his sharp claws and began trimming. Within half an hour, Lamb was light and back on his feet, galloping through the trees. Wolf playfully threw Lamb’s shavings on himself.

“Hey look, now I look like you.” Wolf joked.

Lamb laughed harder than Mantis had ever heard him laugh. Wolf and Lamb gallantly walked off together deeper into the forest.