Fly Away

S.W. Cosgrove

While I was reading an essay on essays, sipping and inhaling the fragrance of a smoky Lapsang Souchong tea, the charry liquid washing down the last of my cherry crumb cake, a fly landed on the cake dish.

There were just a few scraps left, some crumbs and a drop or two of sugary cherry paste.

My first impulse was to flick the bothersome insect away, intruder, pestiferous fly.

But as I watched the little creature wax his translucent wings hopping over the plate, tasting here and there, I thought – lucky fly! What a find on this quiet evening: cherry crumb cake.

I watched the fly’s pleasure and greed at his unexpected, most wonderful treat. Possibly the best meal ever in his short life.

And I thought – that damned fly has as much integrity as any creature on this earth. Certainly in this room. Just earning an honest living and enjoying a nice supper, including desert. Cherry cake crumbs.  Pursuing a life of integrity.

He finished his cherry crumb cake while I finished my tea, then off he flew.  Fortunately, he didn’t send any of his comrades to finish the job.

I poured a whisky and returned to my essay on essays.