SPOTTED MANTIS

Magnificent colours like rays of light on a vast garden, painted onto this richly adorned Spotted Mantis. Green, red, and black, all intermingled to compose a stunning creature. The wings, delicate like a Thrush’s egg, can be torn any moment in time. Green like the power of envy, wishing earnestly to steal another's affection. Like the spine of a feather, the legs are thin and spindly, but incredibly strong, empowering strength into this Mantis. The hands, thrust up into the unknown, praising the Creator of whom he is made, longing to understand the secrets of existence.

The heart of this radiant being must surely be beaming with joy, hope and love.

Written by Louisa Short—12 years
31 July 2007

STAR GAZING....

I slip on the undergrowth covered with fallen dew and I feel myself falling, falling, falling….

I awake.

It is nighttime and the sliver of moonlight is dappled through the trees.
The stars, surrounding the galaxies, are shining as bright as a 50-watt torch in a dark, cold cave.
I gaze around my surroundings, and I discover that I am in a small valley with gigantic trees, at least 500 years old, towering above me.
Along the banks are thousands of tiny Glow Worms, shining like stars.
I make my way up the stream, back to the Kereru Whare and as I open the door, I stop to hear the New Zealand Morepork calling, its’ voice echoing through the forests at Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary.
“Morepork! Morepork! Morepork!”