Written and Directed by Justin Snyder
A blog.

The T-Rex And The Stink Bug: A Love Story

I was at a church event last year at someone’s home and we did this get-to-know-people game where everyone shares their favorite animal and explains why. About thirty of us sat in a circle and went around one at a time. I was at the end of the circle, and I wanted to pick an animal that no one had picked (all the good ones were being taken), because I’m an adult and I take these games very seriously. So when it came my turn, I said, “Tyrannosaurus Rex.”

“Why?” Kevin said. Kevin is our pastor and the brilliant mind behind this activity.

“Because no one messes with a T-rex,” I said.

We completed the circle and then Kevin had us go around again.  This time our second favorite animal.

So I’m thinking, come on Kevin. This is dumb.

All the good ones were being said, even the clever ones, and I was under a lot of pressure for something original. Finally it came to me. I had the perfect animal. No one would say this. It came my turn.

“My second favorite animal,” I said, “is the stink bug.”

The room shifted nervously.

“No, really.” I built my case. “Stink bugs are content and resilient creatures. They have a lot of character. I was at Starbucks once and I noticed one right next to me in the window sill. He had fallen over on his back. I watched him as he struggled to turn himself back over. When he finally did, he just kind hung around like it was no big deal. He was right there next to me for like three hours, just hanging out. By the time I left, I felt like we were friends.”

There were a few courtesy laughs. I’m pretty sure everyone thought I was really weird.

I was not prepared for what happened next. Kevin said, “this exercise has a reason behind it. There’s some psychology in this game. The first animal is how you see yourself. And the second, is what you look for in a spouse.”