On examination, I wasn't sure if they were some kind of caterpillar (moth or butterfly larvae) or if they were larvae or nymphs of some other insects.
I did notice that they were covered with some furry hairs.
While looking at them, I accidentally touched one of them.
Ouch!
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| Limacodidae-Spiny slug caterpillar Yes-that's my thumb for scale |
How could such a minute hair on a minute insect inflict such an intense burning pain!
And why is it that the hairs on some creatures are soft and cuddly while others are itchy and painful? How does one even know except to purposefully or accidentally come in contact with the animal?
Appearances can be deceiving.
I have lived in several countries and I have noticed a commonality among all of them: people like stuff. People mortgage their homes and their souls in order that they might obtain more and nicer things in order that they might be fulfilled, happy, comfortable, or perhaps perceived as having higher status.
But it fails so often.
Why do people who seem to have it all end up committing suicide?
Why do winners of mega-lotteries often end up worse off than they started? (And why do governments promote such systems that ultimately fail at what they are hyped to achieve?)
Jesus calls it "the deceitfulness of riches."
That which appears soft and cuddly may in fact be prickly and poisonous.
As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. (Matthew 13:22)
Not only does that which appears to be good actually fail at being good, it ultimately ends up choking what little good one had to start with.
While I am not a proponent of Buddhism, I have had the opportunity to visit is an interesting temple about 10 miles south of Chiang Rai often referred to as "the white temple". The artist/creator of the temple makes an interesting contrast.
The temple is divided into two sides. One side is very ornate with lots of interesting sculptures and such which draw the eye. It is quite beautiful in many ways.
The other side is quite plain and almost boring.
The two sides are reached by bridges from a central structure. One starts their journey there and has to decide: "Which side shall I choose. Should I choose the beautiful and ornate side? Or should I choose the plain and boring side?"
The catch here is that the "beautiful" side is side of karma-the endless cycle of birth, suffering and death. The "plain" side is the side of Nirvana.
Many years ago, two men representing two large, extended families stood at a crossroad. Their combined families were too big to be raising their livestock together and they needed to separate. The older man said to his nephew, "take your pick, you go one way, I'll go the other."
The nephew looked one way and saw barren, rocky hills. He looked the other way and saw a lush fertile plain. He said to his uncle, "I think I'll head down to the valley over there."
The older man took his cattle to the barren hills. God blessed him and he prospered. The younger man found himself living among people whose only purpose in life was having a good time.
Eventually the older man had to rescue his nephew from the destruction of the city. The younger man ended up spending the rest of his life in a cave. The older man prospered and became a great nation. (Genesis 13; 18:22-19:38)
Sometimes, that which appears soft and cuddly is in fact prickly and poisonous.
When you come to the crossroad, which side will you choose?
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| Wat Rong Khun (วัดร่องขุ่น) - the 'hell" side |
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| Wat Rong Khun (วัดร่องขุ่น) - the "heaven" side |
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