Riley Minnear

minnear@live.unc.edu

Long ago, the snake was a proud creature; it was faster than any other
animal, could jump higher than any other animal, and was first to be recognized by
the other animals for its superiority. This was due to the fact that it possessed a
multitude of legs, far more than any of the other creatures. Now, the snake was a
proud animal, confident in its abilities; moreover, it was also a kind and generous
animal. Despite these things, the other animals grew jealous and hatched a plan
behind the snakes back. The following day, the snake was visited by the spider,
who had only four legs at this point in time. The spider beseeched the snake to give
up some of its legs to the spider, pointing out that life as a spider was hard with so
few legs and that the snake must be evil to not help out its fellow animal. The snake
thought for a moment before agreeing, feeling assured that it would not miss the
loss of only a few legs. This continued on for a time, with a few animals coming to
request legs from the snake every day. One day, however, the snake woke up, and
looking at itself, realized it had given too much of itself away. He began turning
animals away who requested legs, but it was already too late; his generosity had
made him weak and he was set upon by the other animals, who took his legs and
divvied them up amongst themselves to assure that the snake would never regain
superiority.
And so, we arrive at the snake of today; a mean, silent creature. One that
slithers on the ground, and hides in dark holes. Every day it witnesses the macabre
parade of creatures wearing its legs, and torments itself with daydreams of how
things used to be. This is why one must be careful around snakes, for the snakes
that remember well and carry their anger with them are quick to strike out at any
other creature they encounter.