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Exercise #529: Self Knowledge
Posted 7/19/13
Do you have an unusual talent? Something not marketable but still amazes your friends? When I was growing up, the neighbor boy caught honeybees. In his bare hands. I think he often used this talent as a wager item: “Bet you I can catch a honeybee and not get stung!”
The trick was to gently cup the bee with both hands while it gathered nectar from a flower. Carefully he would bring his hands together around the bee, then slowly close the gaps. When the bee was enclosed, he’d raise his hands from the flower and let the bee go from about six inches above the blossom. My grown-up mind thinks he probably just had the timing right; once the bee is done with the flower it is ready to fly to the next one and the boy’s hands just followed the bee on its journey. No doubt the bee’s legs would tickle as it tried to find the way out. Before the bee panicked, the “cage” would open.
Back then, I was astounded and never brave enough to try it. Currently, my husband can unset a mousetrap by gripping it. No snap; he picks it up, just clamps down on it in place with one hand and unsets it. I’m not brave enough to try this one, either.
Your turn; show us your talent.
Again, you may show a character tackling this exercise instead.
Critiquers, you might choose to answer these questions for critiquing the piece:
* Did you catch any spelling errors or other standard proofreading items? If so, note them for the author.
* Did you find this talent to be unusual? Why or why not?
Word limit: 1200
Please use the subject line:
SUB: Exercise #529/yourname
Why this is a self-knowledge exercise: Reviewing what you’re good at may help you raise your self-esteem.
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