a story

story from a cherokee friend
as close as i can get it to his telling


so let me tell you
this story i heard
a long time ago
there was this boy...

to get to the fertile river valley
where the good hunting grounds were,
he had to cross some mountains.

along the way he came across a snake
the boy saw that the snake was struggling
and gave him some of his water
he was a big strong boy
and had brought more than enough
for himself and to share

the snake gratefully drank the water
and when he was feeling refreshed
he asked the boy if he might carry him
"you can just sit me on top of your backpack
i am not very big and you are very strong"

they boy hesitated but did not object
he carefully picked up the snake
gently placed him on top of his pack
and the two continued their journey
together

it wasn't so long before they reached the other side
where the river flows and the good hunting can be found
as the boy was helping the snake to the ground
suddenly and without warning
the snake struck and bit him on the leg

as the boy lay there in agony
he asked the snake why did he do that
after the journey and friendship they had shared

"because i'm a snake,  that's what snakes do"