It’s 2019. William is 5.
We are outside watering the trees when William exclaims, “Let’s go on a cactus hunt!” Thinking this will take us as far as the backyard neighbor’s cactus, I agree. Five minutes later, we realize that conditions are perfect for cactuses today and we are sure to see some real beauts coming out to bask in the morning sun.
William equips us both with a pointy stick — a cactus hunt’s main tool. There is some light training involved which I pick up from observation. The technique goes like this:
When a cactus scurries across your field of vision, you stop, aim one of the pointier ends of your stick at the sight, then signal to your comrade (Never cactus hunt alone). The signal is this–call out: “A cactus!” Then look to see if your partner responds. This will most often look like a similar point of their stick followed by a verbal “We found one!” Then continue to the next cactus.
It’s grueling work, but someone has to keep the cactus population under control.
We are going along, William’s stick getting the most use as (pro tip) all cactus sticks double as a weapon to ward off bad guys. There are a surprising number of villains out here that just want to see all the cactus hunters burn. If I wasn’t witnessing it right here and now, I wouldn’t have believed it either.
After logging about a dozen or so cactuses, our hunt ends at the fruit market. William asks if we can buy a watermelon. While I appreciate his confidence in my strength to lug a 15lb fruit a mile home with my bare hands, I politely decline. We make our journey home, on a bug hunt.
