Crayfish Rescue Story
I mostly know crayfish from unexpected roadside meetings, where squeaky brakes just saved them from becoming one with the asphalt. Their response is always deeply grateful; expressed through two enormous red claws raised high in a clear, wordless warning: Back off, or I’ll cut your face in half!
Lobster Ego
I never take these threats very seriously, but I try not to hurt a lobster’s fragile ego. So I gently scoop them up in my jacket, treating them like the dignified creatures they believe themselves to be.
I release them carefully into a nearby ditch, where they angrily paddle away, grumbling and cursing under their breath. After all, they probably had big plans for that road, and I, the meddler, just ruined everything. But hey; flattened plans are even worse than disrupted ones.
Lobster Party
In Sweden and Finland, it’s apparently tradition to throw a crayfish party when you find one of these fellows. Although festive-sounding, it’s a lot less fun for the guest of honour: they’re boiled and served with potatoes and dill. (Source: Wikipedia.)
So really, that crayfish should count himself lucky I got there before a hungry Swede did. The worst he has to endure now is being a temporary photo model and possibly taking a playful slap from my cat. A small price to pay for a so-called “pest,” right?
