My window was open. The screen was closed. The only things that could get through were dust and wind. Yet there he was, buzzing and spinning in the air.

Little
wasp, go away now.

The
fly swatter was within reach. Yet I stayed my hand. I made a pact
with the pest. I told the little wasp, “Leave me be and I will
leave you be.” But I was nervous the little wasp would not listen.
I was afraid the little wasp would not understand.

Little
wasp, go away now.

The little wasp kept its distance. It buzzed and spun and left me be. It danced against the ceiling overhead. It wandered and wrecked against window and wall, but never did it bother me. So I did not reach for the swatter.

Little
wasp, go away now.

It
careened into the window screen. The outside world looked big and
beautiful but it could not escape. I pitied the pitiable thing.
Perhaps I should reach over and pull open the screen a little bit.
Then it could be free. Then I would worry about it no more.

Little
wasp, go away now.

But I was anxious. What if I reached for the screen and the little wasp felt threatened and attacked? What if opening the screen would cause more intruders to enter my home without invitation? No, I decided, it was too risky. The little wasp managed to get inside somehow. Let it retrace its steps to get back outside.

Little
wasp, go away now.

Night fell and I lost track of the wasp. I slept without a care in the world. The next day, the little wasp was back, crawling against the screen, wanting to be free, wanting to rejoin the big and beautiful outside world. But I was not moved to act. The risk, I reminded myself, never forget the risk. I also reminded myself of the bargain I struck. “Leave me be and I will leave you be.” That deal worked both ways. I wanted it gone but I would not interfere.

Little
wasp, go away now.

The
third day it was there, too. Crawling across the screen, slow and
weary. It could not get out. But I was a man of my word. To interfere
was to break my bond. I saw it and I did nothing. That was the right
thing to do, proper and true. And on the fourth day, I heard no
buzzing and I saw no crawling. I only saw the little wasp on the
window sill, motionless and dry. It never escaped. But it kept its
word. And I kept mine.

Little wasp, gone away now.