Eating Mopane Worms

A yummy snack for Reis

(Reis) My stomach lurches as if being tugged, as the rancid smell of Fried Mopane Worms reaches my nose. You may think “Why does he have a Mopane Worm?” Well if you really want to know, I was about to eat one.

We pulled up to the cattle post and the stench of cow and goat dung filled the air. We hopped out of the car and sauntered to the cluster of huts. A lady wearing a head dress greeted us. We walked into the “Dining Room” and each took a seat in the chairs. Each of the lunch pots were filled to the brim with interesting delectables. On the far right of the buffet there was sorghum, a cooked oat-like grain. Next to that was polenta, a dish made with maize that looks somewhat like mashed potatoes. To the left of that was boiled spinach. Then shredded beef. Then next to that, the dreaded African specialty, Mopane Worms.

I sat back in my chair and gazed at the African Cuisine All-You-Can-Eat-Bar, which, after examining the food closely, was not very much. I then decided I was not very hungry. “Who wants one?” my dad asks. My siblings and I suddenly grew intensely interested in our sneakers. Andrew, with new found strength, volunteers. “Okay I am going to do it,” says Andrew half-heartedly. He brings it up to his mouth. “No, I can’t do it!” he confesses, giving up. I decide in order to be brave I have to at least get one on my plate. “I’m going to eat it,” I exclaim, taking everyone by surprise. I bring the caterpillar up to my mouth, closer, closer, closer, BAM, I pop the worm in. The taste explodes from the former insect. Rotten shoe leather and impala dung, mixed, is a good way to describe the taste. It took a while to get it down, but the only thing I was focused on was the finish line. “Come on Reis,” both me and my family said. I stuffed a piece of beef into my mouth, to try to put a damper on the taste. RESULT: NEGATIVE.

I gnawed on it longer, almost regurgitating once or twice. I gobbled the rest down and took a big swig of water. I was then left with two proud parents, three astonished siblings and one bad tasting mouth.