The Wisdom of Instinct 



Here, before my eyes, is matter for interest- 

 ing observations; and I cannot profit by it! 

 I cannot surprise the Sphex' secret for the lack 

 of something to offer her in the place of her 

 prize ! Try it for yourself, try setting out in 

 quest of an alternative piece with only a few 

 minutes at your disposal, when it took me 

 three days of wild running about before I 

 found Weevils for my Cerceres ! And yet I 

 made the desperate experiment twice over. 

 Ah, if the keeper had caught me this time, 

 tearing like mad through the vineyards, what 

 a good opportunity it would have been for 

 crediting me with robbery and having me up 

 before the magistrate ! Vine-branches and 

 clusters of grapes : not a thing did I respect 

 in my mad rush, hampered by the trailing 

 shoots. I must have an Ephippiger at all 

 costs, I must have him that moment. And 

 once I did get my Ephippiger during one of 

 these frenzied expeditions. I was radiant 

 with joy, never suspecting the bitter disap- 

 pointment in store for me. 



If only I arrive in time, if only the Sphex 

 be still engaged in transport work! Thank 

 heaven, everything is in my favour! The 

 Wasp is still some distance away from her 

 burrow and still dragging her prize along. 

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