Turn

The LBC topic for today is TURN. The first thing that came to mind was a memory of my father teasing my mother about her soap operas. He would look at her, get that well-known twinkle in his eye, and say, “Are you going to watch ‘As the Worm Turns’ today?” Of course he meant the well-known and popular afternoon television program, As The World Turns. He knew full well the name, but he loved to playfully tease my mother.

It did however make me wonder more about the story behind the phrase “As the Worm Turns’. I remembered it as a metaphor about people who are downtrodden victims of injustice and who in time turn on their attacker or attackers, and fight back.

Heading to the internet for more information, I discovered my definition was an evolution of the old proverb, ‘Tread on a worm and it will turn.” Meaning that even the humblest and the most vulnerable creature will attempt to counteract contemptible or abusive treatment.

William Shakespeare used the idea of the worm turning in Henry VI, Part 3. Lord Clifford counsels the king to beware of ‘lenity and harmful pity.

“To whom do lions cast their gentle looks?
Not to the beast that would usurp their den.
The smallest worm will turn being trodden on,
And doves will peck in safequard of their brood.”

I doubt that the deer in the video below ever read the Bard’s words. More than likely the buck’s actions are more hormonal than revengeful. However, my love of animals and disdain for the sport of hunting, make me want to believe this is an example of the “turning of the worm” in the creature world. Go Buck, Go!

Please take a moment to read other’s views on TURN. The Loose Bloggers Consortium are listed on the right hand side of my blog under Writers Consortium.