232 



THE GREAT FATHER AND SNAKES' WAYS 



Probably no wild beast that ever lived has caused such 

 deadly terror to so many people as that inspired by snakes 

 of all kinds. With a lion or a tiger a man feels that he 

 knows pretty well what the creature will do, and how he 

 must defend himself. The animal springs, and bounds, 

 and bites, and men can spring, and bound, and bite, too, 

 if they want to, though not so far, or so well. As regards 

 a snake it is quite different. His ways are not our ways ; 

 his method of getting along is totally unlike ours ; he 

 does not display a great row of gleaming teeth to frighten 

 you and tear your flesh ; his head darts at you like 

 lightning, and is as quickly withdrawn ; but in that instant, 

 unless strong remedies are at hand, your death-blow has 

 been struck. 



It is this sense of mystery and strangeness that hangs 

 round serpents which makes them the object of such dread, 

 though of course there are many kinds which are perfectly 

 harmless. Dark tales, too, are told of their strength 

 and power of fascination, by which their victims are 

 not only prevented from making their escape, but even 

 forced to advance towards their fate. As a rule, however, 

 snakes, unless they are very hungry, only attack in self- 

 defence, and act on the principle that ' if you do not hurt 

 me, I will not hurt you.' Still, without meaning to hurt 

 them, they sometimes look so like a dead branch that 

 they get trodden upon ; then woe be to the creature who 

 has roused them from sleep ! 



