Daddy Long Legs Poem by PATRICIA DOBROSIPEARSON

Daddy Long Legs
By Jane Doze


Hi. I am Jane Doze and I have a story to tell you.

When we were kids my sister was very strange. She did things girls just never do. She loved bugs! Icky! I loved to read and learn. At the age of 6, I read almost the entire dictionary and several of the encyclopedias my mother had bought.

My sister was only 4 years old and had begun her collection of BUGS. She had moths and butterflies stuck with pins on a board. My mother was helping her. So proud that one-day her daughter would be a scientist.

I found an article that spoke of how certain reptiles could grow back body parts. For example, the lizard could grow back its tail. So, I decided it was time for my sister to become a scientist for real.

I saw her on the front porch holding her Daddy Long Legs. I said, 'Hey Lori, did you know that a spider can grow backs its legs if they get injured? ' She didn't believe me. I egged her on. 'Lori, pull off his legs and wait to see.'

My sister was always willing to do what I said. So, she pulled all the legs from the spider. We stood and waited, watching but nothing happened. Finally, she began to cry. My mom came out. 'What's wrong honey? ' My sister went on to tell her what I had said and showed the poor dead spider to my mother.

My mom turned to me, 'Jane, how could you do that to your poor sister? ' I responded as I always did, in a too smart for my own good answer. 'Mom, there are 5 more spiders right up there in the eave. She can TRY AGAIN! '

Moral to the story: It may be true, but that doesn't mean you need to prove it.



Here is more information on regeneration if you want to be a scientist when you grow up.
• Spiders - National Zoo| FONZ
Brought to you by the National Zoo| FONZ.
• http: //atshq.org/articles/Regeneration.pdf
• Regeneration (biology) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia