Not All Bugs Are Created Equal

Working away in my chilly thatch bungalow

Here’s a story from the owner of the small guesthouse in the remote hill village of Tat Lo.

A while back, an Australian stayed there with a few of his friends. He had been living in southeast Asia for several months, so was bragging and displaying his great knowledge and comfort with the local scenery and customs.

He discussed how eating bugs was no big deal to him now, and to prove his point reached down to a rather large beetle that was on the ground. His intention, to eat it raw in an amazing display of savvy and bravado.

The owner of the guesthouse, who had been half listening, glanced at the beetle and yelled out: “Don’t touch that!”

The startled Australian backed off, and the owner walked over and crushed the large beetle under his shoe. When he removed his foot, three small snakes slithered from the beetle carnage. They live in the beetle’s stomach and are very, very poisonous. Had he chomped down on this beetle, the Australian likely would have died.

The Australian promptly lost his lunch, and remained very discreet the rest of his stay.

As for me, beetles are permanently off the menu.