There are many fascinating events in the history of the United States. Not the least of these is the Miracle of the Gulls.
In 1848, the Utah clan of shield-backed katydid was suffering a famine. There had recently been a baby boom, and the hungry, young katydids congregated in bands in search of food. The situation was so desperate that cannibalism was the fate of any clan-member who fell to the rear of the group for too long. Cannibalism was hardly unusual or even criminal in their society, but when katydids were climbing over one another and an entire clan was advancing just to avoid being eaten by their brethren, the elders knew the situation was desperate.
Now, around the same time, a group of humans with disproportionately female families had come from the eastern plains and planted crops. The katydid clan took note of this and formed a plan. The smaller groups all joined into a single group. Even the old bachelors who hated talking to anything that was not their own antenna joined the group. Then they marched. For miles they marched, eating everything in their path. If one katydid fell, he provided nourishment for his brother. When they finally reached the human farms, they began to feast. The settlers, known as Mormons and styling themselves as the Latter Day Saints were feared that everything would be consumed by the starving clan. Then Brigham Young brought out his secret weapon. Hundreds of gulls were unleashed upon the flightless and defenseless katydid population, and within a few short hours, the clan was decimated. The survivors of the massacre were left awestruck and terrified at the power of the Mormons and immediately swore to convert to their religion.
Ever since then, they have been known as Mormon crickets, and all insects who give them time to speak will be made to listen to the miracle that caused their conversion.
