I shake in my boots when I hear – “Oh! It came as a surprise to me! That boy could not even hurt a fly”

If not hurting flies  is the definitive benchmark of a person who is incapable of committing crimes especially murder, then I am a sure goner. I have swatted flies dead and at times with only my bare hands and intense concentration, smashed red ants, and even killed a menacing rat once at home.

Does that make my a potential candidate for a serial-killer? I have spent countless sleepless nights wondering this. What if this tendency to hurt pests extends to the general human populace especially when a large percentage of which can be easily identified as pests? As I toss and turn on the bed, I cannot help but think of the consequences and how I may be judged.

What will the old ladies and relatives say about me in the media after I am sent to trial?

“Oh he is a good boy. Killed a rat once that I saw but other than that I did’t think he could do something like this”

or perhaps a less painful statement such as, “He was not the silent types. Always yapping about bothering everyone. Its the silent ones you got to watch but this one…surprised us all.”

One moment I would be yapping and another moment…Wham!Bham!Shazaam! I may drop someone and everyone would be left wondering just like me – How on earth did that happen? Of course I have no intention of pursuing such a ‘Pest Clearance Drive’, but then these things pop in one’s head. I am not sure about you but it is not easy being me.

If flies were the barometer of ‘murderistic’ talent then I have butchered it already. I have shot off the dial as they say. I am glad “Minority Report” doesn’t exist as of today in our society or I would be locked in the gallows for good. Gives me the jitters I say!

Ah! there goes that pesky ant! Wait you……

Interestingly there is a book by the name “They Never Hurt a Fly” by Slavenka Drakulic on War Criminals on Trial at Hague. Interesting title. Will grab a copy if I get one.