Journal Entry

01 November 2020

6:00 AM (GMT)

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Part 2 (continued from 31 October 2020)

 

Just as darkness fell I heard giggling outside the Lighthouse. After a few seconds I heard four loud bangs on the door …. I opened the door and saw two bears decked out in mustaches who shouted “Trick and Treat!!” “Ah, who do we have here?” I said laughing.  “And why have you come to my abode?” They looked confused and said “We’re Raftus & Rufus Professor PJ, don’t you recognize us? We’ve come to trick you and to get a treat!” “Well you have tricked me, with those mustaches, and yes, I have a treat for you, come in little bears.”

 

As they entered the dimly candle-lit room, their eyes widened “Professor PJ this place looks scary…”  “Well it IS Halloween, and the idea IS to make things look a little more ‘spooky’.” I responded. “But you’re not really afraid, are you?” They hesitantly and in unison responded “noooooo, we’re not afraid, not really – well… maybe just a little…”

 

“So, before I give you a treat” I asked “why don’t you tell me about the trick you played on Golly Gosh.”

 

Rufus began first, excitedly telling me about a new word he learned “I was ‘inspired’ Professor PJ” and they took turns telling me bits of the story. “You WERE inspired Rufus but did you consider that Golly Gosh might be really upset by finding a   creepy crawly, and what about the poor creepy crawly, do you think it might too be upset by hearing Golly Gosh shout?”

 

A look of concern came over both their faces, but Raftus quickly added “but, this is Halloween, and aren’t we supposed to ‘Trick and Treat’?” Laughing I said “you are suppose to ‘Trick OR Treat’ - the idea of Halloween is that if a treat is given, then you will not perform a 'trick', it’s not trick AND treat!” A look of bewilderment came over their little mustached faces “OHHHH” their voices trailed off. “We must go to Golly Gosh and explain. I hope she won’t be mad at us.” Rufus said.  I told them it was a good idea to tell Golly Gosh the truth, and that I didn’t think she would be upset.

 

As we sat at the table eating the snacks I had prepared, I asked about what kind of creepy crawler they used to frighten Golly Gosh.  Raftus quickly spoke up “well there are these little bugs, they’re NOT dangerous, actually they are always in a little ball when we look under rocks, and there are always hundreds and hundreds of them.”

 

“Oh, I think you call them slaters, pillbugs, or even rolly-pollies, because they roll up in a ball.” I explained. “Yes, yes that’s them!” bellowed Raftus.

 

“But, in fact, Little Tuffs did you know they are not really ‘bugs’ or ‘insects’ at all?” “Professor PJ are you trying to trick us – of course they are bugs they are creepy and crawly!”  Raftus said laughing almost falling off the oversized chair. “Well they may be ‘creepy’ and ‘crawly’ but they are not bugs, they are really crustaceans like lobsters, crabs and prawns.”  Rufus chimed in “noooooo Professor PJ, crabs and prawns live in the ocean these BUGS are under rocks in the paddock, nowhere near water!”

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“Well boys, these crustaceans are the only ones which do live outside of water, that is why they live in damp locations, like under rocks, wood or leaves; they breathe with gills, and need humidity or moisture to survive.”

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“And… this will really surprise you little bears” (I add a bit of eerie tone to my voice) the females are like marsupials, just like kangaroos and koalas.” At this both Raftus and Rufus fell off their chairs and rolled on the floor laughing hysterically “oh Professor PJ you are so funny, now we know you are just playing a trick on us.”

 

I go on, “It’s true Tuffs, the females lay eggs, which are held in a pouch on her underside, it’s like the marsupium of a kangaroo. After about two months as an egg, they hatch, and baby pillbugs remain in their mother’s pouch for another couple of months.  They look identical to their parent, but in miniature form.

 

Finally a look of belief and amazement came over the faces behind the little black mustaches. “Wow, you’re not trying to trick us; no one could make up a fantastic story like that.”

 

“Pillbugs are one of Mother Nature's best helpers. They prefer eating rotting material, including decaying leaves, insects, and anything in the soil as long as it is organic. They help with composting while removing heavy metals from the soil.  And if you ever see a pillbug that looks bright blue or purple in color, it means it is very sick.”

 

Taking a more serious tone I add, “Now Raftus and Rufus, while you may feel delighted when a pillbug rolls itself into a ball, the bug itself does not share that happy emotion. Pillbugs roll into a ball when they are frightened. They may be really really tough-looking on the outside, but their undersides are soft and not very well protected, so rolling into a ball is a way for them to defend themselves.”

 

“But we didn’t mean to hurt the buuu…, I mean crusty station.” Rufus began with a tear in his eye. “That’s crustacean, and I know you didn’t mean Golly Gosh or the Creepy Crawly any harm. But sometimes we do things without knowing it may hurt or frighten another creature or bear.  Next time when you take a look under a rock or old log and see these little creepy crawlers (I pause), hey what should we call them?” I ask. In unison they say “Rolly-Pollies!!”

 

“Ok, Next time you see these Rolly-Pollies, think of them as secret and quiet land crustaceans, quietly grazing away like little cows in the leaves and undergrowth.”

 

“We will Professor PJ, we will.” Rufus said gallantly. “By the way, we did return the creepy crawly crustacean to where we found it after we left Golly Gosh.” Raftus added quickly.

 

“That’s good Little Tuffs – you do have good hearts.”

 

Now let’s finish our Halloween treats!