Gecko!

 

I was sooo thrilled to find my very first gecko in Morocco last week!  Geckos have been my faithful friends since the summer of 2017, when I lived in India for 2 1/2 months.  These adorable critters would visit my bedroom in the Elephant House frequently, especially at night as they would come to eat the insects that irritated me.  Again, geckos brought me joy when I visited the African continent in 2018, and again when I was in Guatemala in 2019.  I love these little guys! 

I found the cute gecko pictured above before one of our PSI classes.  I was getting things set up for class when I saw him running across the rug.  I quickly cupped him in my hands and carried him off to show my friends.  I was surprised when my friend, Saad, asked to kill it!  I turned him down, confused at the offer.  He then explained that geckos have a relation to some Islamic beliefs and traditions.  I was grateful to later discover this helpful article:  Islam & the Gecko.  

Perhaps my friend Saad was teasing me, or maybe he was serious.  Either way, I find it insightful to learn about the roles that certain animals play in various cultures.  I still love geckos, and I will happily care for them (as long as they aren't hurting anyone.)