Ask Aunt Foley

Dear Aunt Foley:  Why did God create fleas?  We hate those things - Tashi, Tiara, and Trixie.

Dear Tashi, Tiara and Trixie:  Among the many lessons I have learned on the immortal side of life is that all beings, even fleas, have a reason to live.  But the reason why is only known by the wisest and oldest of our inhabitants, who live high up in the mountains.  To get your answer I packed some kibble and some water then began to climb high above the River.

It took me a few hours to get to the top of the mountain and I entered the cave where the wise man sat.  I stopped to drink some water and then I stood before him and asked why we have fleas.  He explained to me that fleas have an important role in nature.  They balance life.  If there are too many of any species then the fleas carry diseases to help reduce the number of that specie.  Without the flea one specie could eradicate all others.

Having received your answer I turned and prepared to start my journey back down the mountain when I paused, turned, and walked back into the cave.  “Hey, old wise man?” I asked.  He looked up.  “Are you telling me the only purpose fleas have is to, at best, kill people, and at worse, make their lives torturous hell?”  He nodded.  “Then what did you go create Al-Qaeda for?  Admit it, the flea is an evolutionary mistake that we are now stuck with, and, when you found it was killing things, you said ‘Hey, let’s just say that’s the purpose.’”

He studied me:  “Do you think you have all the answers little dog?” he asked.

“I think mine make more sense than yours,” I said, standing very straight.