At the beginning of the story, there is a young boy named David who is afraid of centipedes. After his cousin Mary tells him about a terrible incident involving a centipede and a girl named Jennifer, David becomes even more afraid and paranoid about the presence of centipedes in his surroundings.
As the story progresses, David's fear escalates, leading to a conflict between him and his cousin Mary. David repeatedly accuses Mary of lying about the centipede incident and blames her for his heightened anxiety. He believes that Mary is tricking him and causing him distress for her amusement.
The turning point in the story comes when David's father intervenes. Recognizing David's irrational fear and the impact it has on his relationship with Mary, David's father takes action. He confronts David about his behavior and explains that while Mary may have told him a story, she did not intend to harm him.
Through his father's intervention and wise words, David begins to understand the situation more clearly. He realizes that his fear has clouded his judgment, leading to unnecessary conflict with his cousin. David reflects on his actions and acknowledges his mistake.
In the end, David apologizes to Mary, admitting that he was wrong to accuse her of intentionally causing him distress. Their relationship is restored, and the conflict between them is resolved. David's father's intervention effectively helps in solving the conflict and restoring harmony between the two cousins.