What we have that they don't...

I don't know that I believe that humans are smarter than animals and spiders and such. There is a spider who lives by the front entrance to my house that is awesomely intelligent and creative. It spins fantastic huge webs at night to catch flying meals and in the morning the spider takes down that same intricate web in a matter of seconds and moves its home to the rain gutter for the day. I consider that arachnid to be a highly intricate creature. However, there is one thing I don't think that spider can do....tell stories. That is something that only humans can do.


Our stories are what distinguishes us in the animal kingdom. Our stories create us and lead us to find places to belong and thrive. I doubt that humans can really be healthy without telling their stories.

When my friend Susan and I were on vacation in the North Carolina, we stopped into Lester Sporting Goods in Bryson City to buy fishing licenses. While waiting for one of the owners of the shop to process our information we talked about fishing spots in the area and our clerk's love of fishing. His mother was standing at the back counter altering a pair of pants and was part of the conversation. At one point she said, "You know, the love of fishin' brought my husband out of a 61 day coma." Then she proceeded to tell us that once when her husband was in a coma, in an effort to bring him around, they all took turns talking to him. One day his granddaughter was visiting him and she told her granddad that he needed to wake up so he could take her fishin' cause no one else would. That did the trick and he did and they did.

The grandmother went on to tell us that same, now teenage, granddaughter just brought her 2 big trouts a few weeks ago. She had gone fishin' with her boyfriend and the boyfriend had read a book while his girlfriend fished. The grandmother didn't seem to be too impressed with this boyfriend who would read a book instead of fish. I commented that at least he had gone with her so he could be with her while she fished even if he didn't enjoy the sport. The woman just shook her head and leaned in toward me as she said, "She's just gonna have to find a new boyfriend, that's as plain as day."

Susan and I have talked about that trip to the sporting goods store and that story about fishing many times since we returned home. The trip would not have been the same without that story. Our visit to the store would not have been as friendly and welcoming without that story. We would not have gotten to know the owners as well without that story. In the sharing of the words was the sharing of the heart of that family. The story was a gift to us and that gift continues to give life and grow as I share it now with you. I don't think spiders can do that....it's what we have that they don't......but you just never know- and I could be wrong.....it's happened before.