Mr. Mantis Goes to Church
By Larry R Linville

The praying mantis went to church
to try to improve his praying.
He crawled up to the front row
to hear the words they were saying.

He knew he had the posture down pat
with his forelegs properly bent.
Still he got no answers
to all the prayers he had sent.

He could genuflect with the very best
and he wore liturgical green
moving in the slowest rhythm
anyone has ever seen.

When the preacher read from the Bible
the words seemed so kind
“Ask and it will be given to you,
seek and you will find.”

He went back to his family
to share all he had found.
Now when you’re outside the mantis church
you hear their new praying sound.

They still kneel and fold their arms
but now they sing new hymns
and rock back and forth to the rhythm
properly using their limbs.

Next time you see a mantis
you should watch him for a while.
You may see different action
and wearing a new pious smile.