‘But, You Knew I Was a Snake’*

snake

 She clung to my neck like a high school sweetheart as we posed for the camera, ‘She’ was a snake, a ‘ball constrictor’, and me, I was a narcissist with an appetite for curiosity.

‘(Curiosity) makes your mind active instead of passive’ **

“This photo will get some attention”, I was thinking, even before the shutter snapped. “Social media was meant for me…”

I had never held a snake and it wasn’t on my ‘bucket list’. But I couldn’t resist when the reptile and her handler were in line with me at the counter of a local garden/pet supply store. I was buying mulch and ‘the snake’ was there for a take-out meal, a box of rats. My curiosity and sense of adventure pushed me, “May I have a picture with your snake?”

‘(Curiosity) makes your mind observant of new ideas’ **

Satisfied the snake was not a threat, I let the handler drape it over my shoulders. Our fears often are created by the unknown, I thought. And my knowledge of snakes was full of unknowns. Saturday morning Tarzan movies was my limited reference of snake knowledge. But my curiosity was driving me. “It’s so dry and smooth”.  The more I spoke, the more ignorant I appeared.

‘(Curiosity) opens up new worlds and possibilities’ **

By now, a small cadre of customers had formed behind me in the register line. Curious, I suppose.  They were practicing patience and I was becoming the center of attention…and enjoying it. Sales people love attention, so it felt natural. But something felt unnatural as we smiled and hissed for the camera.

Oddly, my rib cage felt cold and the thought occurred to me that the snake sensed my slight nervousness and her body was adjusting accordingly, by changing temperature. Wrong!  But I held firm and smiled, nothing was going to spoil this Facebook post.

Not even a snake peeing on me. Snakes have heavy streams, I learned.

I got my picture and the crowd behind me got their laughs. I was left with a hoodie and rib cage soaked with snake urine. But my ego and curiosity were satisfied. The picture garnered numerous ‘likes’ on Facebook, Instagram and now a blog story.

Are you a curious person? Has your curiosity ever put you in predicaments? Has it often satisfied you?

‘(Curiosity) brings excitement into your life’ **

The life of curious people is far from boring. It’s neither dull nor routine. There are always new things that attract their attention, there are always new ‘toys’ to play with. Instead of being bored, curious people have an adventurous life.**

Find something to be curious about!

Steve

Srbottch.com

* ‘The Snake’ is a song released by American singer Al Wilson and written by Oscar Brown

** ‘4 Reasons Why Curiosity is Important’, Donald Latumahina (Lifehack.org)

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srbottch

Retired in 2013 after 5 years as an elementary school teacher and 40 years as a sales representative to begin anew as a school crossing guard. SMy essays/stories are a way to communicate through the telling of personal experiences. One reader said about my blog stories, "...these are like a cold sip during a marathon run, simple, real life events". Another offered about my blog, “it brings some sense of normalcy not easily found in the modern world.”

21 thoughts on “‘But, You Knew I Was a Snake’*”

  1. Hysterical! The funniest part was your side comment that Tarzan on Saturday mornings was your only reference to snake knowledge. I laughed out loud! The rest of the story was terrific. Do you follow John Kraft’s blog, Down the Hall on your left? Check it out. I think you will like it.

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  2. You snake lover.!  you must be a Trump supporter.  (sorry, couldn’t help myself.)..Now I’m sounding like the New York Times. 😄Love this one.  How are the babies doing.  How are you feeling . 

    Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S® 6, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

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    1. Again, your generous comments motivate me to write and to try and get better. I glad it made you laugh. You would have fit in nicely with the customers behind me. Thank you, Ida Beth. By the way, snow coming our way Sunday eve and Monday.

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      1. Yay, snow! But easy for me to say. I hope it adds to the magic of your holiday season, but doesn’t overstay its welcome. And you are so very welcome. That snake story reminds me of all the crazy stuff that happened to Johnny Carson when he had animals on the show. Always hilarious!

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  11. This reminds me of a boyfriend I had when I lived in Sydney as a young wonan . He was an optician and he kept valuable optical equipment in his car . In order to deter thieves , he kept a large boa constrictor in the car ! A nonovel way of protecting one’s property !Like your story !

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