I used to stay in a house on top of the ridge of Aukland Park. We had frequent encounters with these 'Parktown Prawns'! Their feelers probe the air in front of them sensing even the slightest deviations in air movement, temperature and who knows what else. The armour plated, black, shining body looks ominous and well prepared to anything. Their eyes seem to be seeing everything and defiantly challenging you to attempt to eliminate them.
I tried a number of times but always felt I had been got the better of by this almost pre-historic creature from some demonaic past.
I had parked my car one night and in the light of the cars headlights I saw one jump and scurry to the side of the car - almost as if to greet me as I stepped out.
I stepped out; only the garage light was on but I could see the defiant insect was standing it's ground.
I have big feet and I was wearing big CAT style shoes.
I felt empowered.
I felt mighty.
I knew I was stronger that this bug!
I raised my foot, drew a deep breathe and brought my food down with impressive force - I weighed about 100kg and am about 6 foot tall.
The prawn was a gonner! I was sure of that.
Just before my foot hit the ground I felt something bash agains the sole of my shoe! The prawn sensed the danger and tried to get away - it was too late! The downward force and momentum was too great and my foot continued to make a resounding impact with the floor.
I could feel the shell, the armour plating of the creature crack and crush under the impact yet still I felt like it had tried to push back.
The gruesome black ooze was all over the sole of my shoe, inbetween the big tread of those combat boots I was wearing.
Lifting my foot and looking down, I saw the damage I had done.
I smiled smugly at what I had accomplished but gasped in digust at the putrid, sickening smell that was filling the garage.
As I looked at ground zero I saw some jerking and twitching. Most likely just the reflex actions and responses from the aweful impact, I thought.
Wiping my shoe on the floor as I walked I left the garage after closing the doors and switching off the light. I went into the house and retired to my bed knowing that I had elliminated one of these despicable insects. I had done my duty to human kind and particularly MANkind. I was a hero! I should get some kind of recognition for this act of bravery!
In the morning I told my wife and children of the dangerous encounter I'd had the previous night. They were horrified but at the same time glad and relieved that their father, their husband, their protector and hero had saved them from the horror of having to encounter this particular Prawn.
They wanted to see the carnage but were hesitant due to the lingering smell and the mess.
After breakfast we went down to the garage.
I stepped down the last step, walked through the door into the garage and looked at the cold concrete floor near the driver's door.
There was nothing!
No severed limbs, shell, crusty had outer covering.
No Fragments of feelers or parts of spiky legs.
Just a faint smudge of black on the floor with a tinge of putrid aroma still emenating from it!
I took the car from the garage.
We insepcted the whole of the garage.
There was nothing.
There was not even a satisfying trail of ants that could have cleared the battlefield.
Nothing, nada, niks!!
The Parktown Prawn had got itself back together again.
It had repaired its damaged frame.
It continued to live!!!
"I'LL BE BACK", seemed to be whispered eerily from the cold confines of the concrete, stone, brick and mortar of that garage.
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