Looking Behind Big Rocks

                                      Looking Behind Big Rocks

                                            By Daryl Campbell





         Haiden has several brothers and sisters and a mom and dad who love him. Young scorpions leave home early to find their way in the world and Haiden did just that.

         He rarely sees his brothers or sisters any more and Mom and Dad, well, they're just Mom and Dad. Occasionally, he gets advice from his parents to help him out in life, but Haiden's wise enough to ignore most of it.

         Florida's a great place for a scorpion. Haiden enjoys searching the woods and he loves discovering new things. Even with all the fun he's having, he decides to find a friend, someone to share the nights with. Scorpions do almost everything at night.

         Wanting to see what Mom and Dad will suggest, Haiden goes for a visit near dinner time.          “Hello, Haiden,” Dad says as Haiden enters the rotting tree.

         “Hi, Dad.”

         “Haiden!” Mom hugs him. “You look handsome.”

         Haiden has large front claws, a long tail with a shiny black stinger, and a brownish orange color to him.

         “Mom,” Haiden says, “don't say that.”

         She kisses him. “Do you want something to eat? Dinner's almost ready.”

         “I guess,” he answers, “but I need to talk about something.”

         “And what's that?” Dad asks.

         “I want a friend.”

         “My friend Andrea has a beautiful daughter...”

         “Not a girl.” Haiden interrupts his mom.

         “Friends are a tricky thing,” Dad tells him.

         “We'll talk about it over dinner.” Mom sets the table.

         When they talk, Mom and Dad warn Haiden about the dangers of making friends. Birds aren't good, they take bites out of scorpions who aren't paying attention. Snakes are something to stay away from, slimy and slippery with their tongues hanging out. Cows, horses, and humans don't have much sense, never paying attention where they're stepping, and often squish smaller things. And spiders can't be trusted.

         “It's best to make friends with other scorpions,” Dad says.

         “And even then, be careful,” Mom adds.

         Haiden returns home, thinking about the talk with his parents. Only making friends with scorpions may have been how things were, but the world's different now. Haiden climbs on his log, making his way though a giant crack and into his room. He'll find a friend tomorrow night, he's sure of it.

         The next night is a great one to find a friend. There aren't any clouds in the sky and there's a full moon. Haiden eats some left overs and hurries into the woods start his search. He knows creatures like the big rocks near the edge of the muddy lake and decides to look there first.

         Once he gets to the big rocks, Haiden begins looking behind each one for a friend.

         Two beetles behind the first rock scream and run away when he peeks around and waives hello.

         At the second rock, he tries a wide smile, but three fireflies light up bright and fly away.

         Before going behind the third rock, Haiden takes a deep breath. He jumps behind the rock with a big smile on his face, waiving hi with both claws, and pointing his stinger at the five mosquitoes there. The mosquitoes, with eyes wide open, fly away.

         Haiden sits down to think. Every friend he tries to make runs away.

         “What ya tryin' to do?” a deep voice asks.

         Haiden jumps to his feet, looking into the branches overhead at a silvery web sparkling in the moonlight. “Who are you?”

         “My name's George,” the black and yellow spider answers. “And who are you?”

         “I'm Haiden. I'm looking for a friend.”

         “Well, you found a bunch around the rocks, but you didn't play chase with them.” The spider lowers itself on a single string.

         Haiden likes what George can do and he looks friendly enough, but Mom and Dad warned him about spiders.

         “Chase?” Haiden asks.

         “It's a game.” George stands on a big rock. Your friends run and you chase them. The game ends when you catch one of them.”

         “You want me to chase you?”

         “I don't play chase,” George pauses, “but I'll help you catch one of your friends.”

         “Okay,” Haiden agrees. “I guess that makes us friends then.”

         “I guess it does.” George smiles and spins a web between two big rocks.

         “What's that for?”

         “You'll chase your new friends this way and they'll get caught in the web,” the spider explains. “Then we'll all have a big laugh.”

         “Don't let them see you though. They'll figure out what we're doing.”

         “Good idea.” George climbs back into the tree. “Let's play chase.”

         Haiden hurries to a big rock, sneaks around it, and yells. “Hello!”

         Before Haiden says another word, the brown grasshopper turns and leaps toward the web. Following, the scorpion waives his claws. The grasshopper really wants to play chase, looking back to make sure Haiden's still there.

         The web pulls tight when grasshopper runs into it. Haiden laughs. Chasing is really fun.

         “No, no!” The grasshopper struggles in the web.

         “Great chase,” Haiden pauses, “but I caught you, Friend.”

         “Friend? Chase?” The grasshopper asks.

         George lowers to the web and starts spinning a blanket around the grasshopper.

         “Help me, Friend!” the grasshopper yells to Haiden.

         Haiden realizes something's wrong and moves near the web.

         “George,” Haiden says,  “you need to let the grasshopper go.”

         “Charles, my name's Charles,” the grasshopper speaks.

         George ignores Haiden and keeps spinning.

         “Let Charles go, George!” Haiden demands.

         George stops and turns to face the scorpion. “Why should I do that?”

         “He's my friend,” Haiden answers.

         “I'm his friend.” Charles nods.

         “Come on, Haiden.” The spider moves away slowly. ”He's just a grasshopper.”

         “He's my friend.” Haiden raises his stinger high. “Don't make me choose between my friends.”

         George smiles. “It's just a game. I would've let him go soon.”

         Haiden cuts the grasshopper from the web. “I'm gonna walk Charles home and then head home myself. I'll stop by to see you in a few days. Still friends?”

         “We're still friends, Haiden.” George disappears into the tree. “See you in a few days.”

         On the way to Charles' house, the scorpion and grasshopper become great friends. Haiden remains friends with George too, despite the fact that the spider often gets him in trouble. From that night on, he always has his two friends.