[World Refugees]
Eli held his cupped hands against his chest as he bounced into the living room where his mom was lounging on the couch. He knew that taking care of him and Lanie was a lot of work, so she deserved a nice surprise once in a while.
"Mom! Look what I got!"
He thrust his hands out to show her what he'd just found on the porch. His mom's reaction to the six-legged, four-eyed purple bug was immediate. She shrieked and jerked upright.
"Eli! You're not supposed to bring bugs in the house unless they're in a jar!"
"Awe, mom! I just wanted to surprise you! ...Um, can you hold him while I go get one?"
His mom eyed the bug warily, then shook her head.
"Not without gloves. Sweetie, please take it back outsi-"
The bug suddenly jumped from it's perch onto the couch. Eli cried out in alarm as his mom scrambled to her feet.
"Don't squash him, don't squash him!"
"Not squishing it, I'm getting you a jar!"
She darted out of the room, leaving Eli to sheepishly collect the bug.
Oops. Maybe it wasn't such a nice surprise after all.