Frank and his dad often went out to catch insects.
At the time, it wasn't a popular hobby, but those who enjoyed it weren't necessarily considered weird.
Eustakio, Frank's father, was a corpulent man with an incipient bald spot. He had a friendly face and a warm smile. He was a passionate entomologist, deeply knowledgeable about insects—their behaviors, forms, life cycles, and even their deaths. Eustakio loved sharing his passion with his son, and Frank grew up convinced that his father was the wisest and smartest man in the world.
As the years went by, however, Frank began to realize that his father was just a man, and one with difficulties.
The biggest struggle was money.
No one became rich by studying insects.
The Frank family lived in a small apartment in Warsaw. Their income came from Eustakio's university lectures and the occasional sale of his books on insects—when they managed to sell, that is.
Despite their financial struggles, Frank felt a deep pride when he talked about his dad. Yet he started to notice how his mother quietly endured the weight of their poverty, which left her a little bitter over time.
Everything changed when Eustakio secured funding for an expedition to South America.
The National Association for Animal Studies granted him a modest but meaningful amount to travel to the new continent and study undiscovered species.
Frank could barely contain his feelings. His dad was finally going to become a famous and respected scientist. He would discover new species, give countless conferences, and gain the recognition Frank always believed he deserved.
For once, his mother would wear beautiful clothes and stop complaining about his dad's work.
Eustakio shared the same excitement and made a heartfelt promise to his son: if possible, he would name one of the species after him.
For a while, Frank was happier than he had ever been.
