In a moment, he knows his mistake, for the sparkling drops are a sticky fluid which holds the little fellow fast, and the tiny hairs on the leaf’s surface bite him like so many mosquitoes!
The leaf rolls up a little, and more of the sticky fluid pours upon him. It is the digestive fluid of the plant. The wicked Sundew Innkeeper is eating up his guest!
“Just like the Spider and Fly in the old story,” said Mary Frances, repeating the lines:
“‘Will you walk into my parlor?’
Said the spider to the fly,
‘’Tis the prettiest little parlor
That ever you did spy.’”
“Exactly!” agreed Jack. “The sundew invites the fly for the same reason that the spider does—because it needs it for food.”
“Oh,” shuddered Eleanor, “do plants eat animals?”