Tina the Tarantula Searches for a Home

It was that time in Tina the tarantula's life in which she was to find a home of her own. So off she went across the vast desert landscape. 

[sketch] But finding a home was difficult. Many places were already inhabited. And it was so hard to dig in the desert ground! Fortunately, Tina saw some of her friends along the way. She asked them their advice.

The first friend Tina encountered was Viola the vulture. Viola was taking a walk with her vulture chicks. “Viola,” said Tina, “do you know where to build a good home?”

[sketch] “Well,” said Viola as she imagined a wonderful spot, “the best place to build a home is high up in a tree, away from things that might disturb your nest.” “Thank you, Viola!” said Tina gratefully. But then Tina realized that without any wings, a tree would be too high for her to build a home.

So she continued on her journey, determined to find a good place. Soon she came across her friend Javier the Gila monster. “Javier!” Tina cried, “do you know where to build a good home?”

[sketch] Javier thought a moment and, imagining the perfect spot, said, “The best place to build a home is in a large hole beneath a rock, where you’re protected from the desert heat.” “Thank you, Javier!” said Tina happily. But then Tina realized that without large claws, it would be impossible to dig such a big hole.

So she started out once more in search of a home, certain she would find a good spot. Suddenly she ran into her friend Sheila the shrew. “Sheila!” Tina exclaimed, “do you know where to build a good home?”

[sketch] Sheila scratched her chin and said, “The best place for a home is in an old agave plant, where you can build a snuggly nest of leaves.” “Thank you!” said Tina excitedly. But then Tina realized that without any fur, an agave plant would not provide enough protection from the sun.

So she began once again to search for a home, becoming ever more anxious. Then she saw her friend Ray the roadrunner. “Ray!” shouted Tina, “do you know where to build a good home?”

[sketch] “Ahem,” said Ray, clearing his throat, “the best place to build a home is in a prickly pear cactus, where other critters won’t want to disturb your nest.” “Wonderful!” said Tina hopefully. But then Tina realized that without sharp talons, she wouldn’t be comfortable sitting in a spiny cactus.

[sketch] So Tina set out once more in search of a home, wondering if she would ever find one. She got very tired walking from place to place, from cactuses to wildflowers, plump plants to pointy plants, big rocks to little rocks. 

[sketch] But then, at last, as she searched around a boulder she discovered a shallow hole. She dipped her head in to see if it was empty… and it was!

[sketch] What’s more, she found that the ground in the hole was soft enough to dig! “What a perfect spot to build a home!” thought Tina excitedly. Quickly she began scratching away at the dirt. She dug and dug, feeling happy. Then, suddenly, she saw something shiny buried in the ground…

[sketch] …a geode! Excitedly, Tina dug faster until she uncovered the gleaming rock. As she pulled it out, it shimmered and sparkled and became her favorite thing in the world.