The Very Nature of Things

A Snake's Tale   There once was a man who went walking deep into the woods which surrounded his home. It was winter and a hard cruel ice captured the passing autumn colours in its freezing grip.... As the man crunched over the frozen landscape he scanned the slippery surface for anything that might catch his attention. This was his way - he always was looking.  

The day was beginning to surrender to the night's call and judging the distance back to his home, which was buried deep within the forest, the man about turned and began to retrace his own steps, still visible in the ice laden carpet. The return journey was always quicker, for the scenery was already discarded to his sight and he made good time. It was still some distance from his home, when the winter walker realised he needed to relieve himself. Without a thought to cover himself, for there were no prying eyes to cause him to hide in shame, he lowered his trousers...  

 It was in that moment that the man spied a most unusual pattern in the ice. ... although the colours merged seamlessly, the pattern stood out as vividly as if it were a bloody red rose. His momentary need for relief was forgotten, as he bent forward with intrigue, to catch a closer look. The warmth from his hand softens and loosens the surface leaves and debris to reveal a most unusual find.  

Gently, the man worked to dislodge his prize from its incarceration. Free at last, he held up a solid mass of a snake. Its coils were perfectly formed like a rock candy lollipop, but cold and heavy. With a new disregard for his surroundings the discoverer headed for the warmth of his home.  

Once home, the man dedicated himself to tending to the stricken reptile. He laid it in a basket close to the wood burning stove. He removed the tiniest sheets of ice as they loosened themselves from the out coils. Throughout a night watch he attentively ministered to his small treasure, mindful of keeping the speed of temperature to a steady pace.  

As the night stars receded once more into an invisible back drop, the snake began to ripple its own movements. Slowly. Painfully. Exhausted the man fell into a deep contented slumber, smug in the knowledge that he had done a good thing. The rest of the early day dripped slowly around with the clock hands, and eventually the miracle maker woke to gaze once more upon his beautiful charge.  

The snake, was quiet, disorientated and somewhat bemused by his frozen slumber. The man continued to tend the tiny beast, building its strength and its vigour back to its formal glory. The snake, submitted to the man's attention, caresses and inspections - with a quiet detached respect. The man would spend many hours talking to the snake, musing over its beautiful colours and patterns, recounting the tale of his lucky survival and the snake listened with an impassive ear.  

Many days had passed when the snake hissed to the man 'Do not pick me up, i do not like to be fondled that way'.... the man staggered back with amazement! How could you be this way with me? Have i not tended you, rescued you and brought you back to life?....  a long pause followed and the snake did not answer.  

The man became angry at the snake and wailed about the injustice of his treatment, in return for his compassion. Again, the snake remained silent.

The man shook the basket, trying to stir a reaction from the snake. The shaken snake remained unmoved despite the vigour of the movement. Beside himself with rage the man thrust a hand towards the basket rim. 'Do not touch me, I do not like to be touched this way' came a low hiss from within.

Unable to contain himself the man, ploughed on his course to sail a hand into the snake's lair. As his hand gripped around a cool, soft coil, the snake struck hard and fast. He bite the hand that grasped him in a way he did not like.  

Shocked and stunned the man backed into one of his fireside chairs. Continuing to view the snake as he had done for many a day and night now.... 'You vile creature, why do you do this to me?.... how can you not love me in the way I have grown to love you?' 'Have you no heart?'  

The snake, slithered from his sick bed towards the house door, seemingly unaffected by the man's apparent horror, at the events which had jst unfolded.  

'Do... do.... do you not hear me at all?'  The man stuttered. 'Can you show no gratitude?'  

To which the snake paused, raised its neck to meet the man's confused gaze and replied, ' I am a snake, why do you expect me to behave in a way other than that which i am designed to do by nature? Did you really think that you could change the very nature of a snake?'.... and that said the snake departed the lodge.