Spider vs. Spider… The Daddy

This morning, after the great thunderstorm that made its way though Kent, I saw a huge daddy long-legs chilling in my living room.  “No big deal”, I thought as I was slipping my shoes on for work, “daddy long-legs are my friend”.

Tonight, I come home and start to pack up my kitchen.  I see “the daddy” making himself at home.  “The daddy” is exploring my little kitchen with his long and skinny feelers out in front of him.  He seemed to be enjoying his new home.

I made a pot of tea.  I’m so civilized.

Then, I look down and see him, my little friend, dangling in another spider’s super deadly web.  I paused.  Thinking.  Thinking.  Deciding.  Should I save him?  Should I save the daddy?

I grabbed my flashlight and shinned down on him like an angel.  He must have been relieve to see his savior a mere inch away from helping him from this rut.

Alas, I would not be playing God today.  The other spider was faster than I. 

The daddy contorted and wiggled and writhed in, what must have been, pain.  I’m not familiar with arachnid nervous systems but I’m sure his obviously had better days.  Days when the movements it made were voluntary.

It is a beautiful thing, mother nature.  The smaller, more nimble spider simple out-witted the mammoth daddy.  And with a single kiss, sealed the marriage between predator and prey.

I watched.  The smaller spider took his time wrapping the daddy up.  Meticulous.  He would occasionally nibble off the sticky webs and replace them with stronger, more permanent, webs to ensure the daddy’s stay.

I feel as if the spider was performing just for me.  A spot-light, an occasional gust of breath.  The spider must have known.

Beautiful.