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Fun Snake Tales on the Mountain
It's said that Grandmother Mountain was having a problem. She got tired of people coming up and picking away at her, digging holes, and stealing crystals without asking. If the crystals were on the surface waving to get picked up and wanting an adventure that was one thing. But digging holes in her and kidnapping them was another. She was scratched up and had scars all over. And many crystals were missing their homes, and were missed by their families. It would take her years to heal. Many years ago she had asked the plants for help. "Who wanted to help protect her?" At first the trees wanted to help. But after much thought they admitted it took them too long to decide to fall over, and they weren't very good at aiming anyway as they went.They often fell in the opposite direction they intended. So they would likely fall with little success of landing on a human. Next the flowers wanted to help. But these days humans don't eat many flowers and the poison ones were few between. Even the mushrooms decided for the same reason they may not be very effective. Without hesitation the Poison Ivy gleefully stepped up and said "We Will Help! We'll spread ourselves all over the mountain. We are good at protecting disturbed places. We always show up first on disturbed land to keep others off while it heals." So for many years the The Poison Ivy did their best, but eventually all had to agree it wasn't a clear enough message. And simply put, it was too subtle for humans to see. Humans often didn't realize who gave them the rash and it was often days after they went home.
Then there was a noise in the back. Slowly an old Timber Rattlesnake Stepped forward. He said "I'll help defend our hillside. I'm old and have lost most my rattle in battles over the years. But I still have all my teeth. I am large and surely a formidable force even at my age. Also I am very wise in the ways of humans. I have watched and terrorized them for many a year. I mostly do it for a chuckle to watch them scream and run. But if need be, I can really put the bite on them, so to speak." Everyone thought this over carefully and agreed that even at his age the Timber Rattlesnake was the best candidate at defending the crystal beds and mountain. And Grandmother Moutain after much thought and thinking carefully about all the animals on her mountain agreed as well. So it was all set. The Timber Rattlesnake was chosen as the defender of the hillsides and the crystal beds. He was all set to roam the slopes all his days and keep an eye out for unsuspecting humans who needed a good scare. But as he set out the Timber Rattlesnake paused, turned and said "Wait I have a question. Is there anyone worthy to pass? Or does everyone get run off?" The Timber Rattlesnake thought about this for a long while. And finally he asked.... "How will I know who that is? Humans all look alike to me. I can't tell any of them apart." The Grandmother Mountain replied "Well that is obvious of course. We will know them by their action. They will be the one walking barefoot up the rocky slope. They will have wisdom to walk among the poison ivy and not step on them and not hurt them. They will be in harmony with the Stones. They will be able to step barefoot on the Rocks without getting hurt and without hurting the Rocks either. They will be slow and careful in their motion. They will be the one stopping to hear the Bird songs. They will pause to notice the Mushrooms and Mosses. They will admire the sunlight filtering through the leaves of the trees. Who knows, they may even try to reach out to talk to Sasquatch, just in case they are close enough to hear. They might even sing softly as we all know Sasquatch love to hear songs, as do many others in the forest. In these ways we will surely know them." So all was set in place. The Timber Rattlesnake went about his task at roaming the slope and keeping people away. He spent his days sleeping under rocks and sunbathing in the leaves, enjoying his time on the mountain. And occasionally getting to freak out a Human. Those days seemed extra special to him. One day The Human saw him only at the last moment as well. He stopped and danced briefly backwards a few feet in a funny little jig. Then he did something unexpected. He paused and said "I'm sorry I didn't see you. We surely startled each other." The Timber Rattlesnake froze and slowly uncoiled his neck. He had never seen this before in a Human. The person then said "My you are beautiful. Your pattern is like diamonds, your colors are so subtle and pretty. You remind me of rocks and leaves. You blend in perfectly with everything around you. With a smile he said, I'm so glad to meet you." The Timber Rattlesnake slowly looked him over from head to toe. The person looked over the Timber Rattlesnake and added, "Oh My, What happened to your tail? Your rattle is mostly gone. You can't even warn people anymore? Does it hurt? Poor thing." The Timber Rattlesnake sat in awe. He had finally found someone worthy to share his space. Someone worthy to pass. The person delightfully showed him two tiny little clear crystals he had found on the mountain. And he said "Please thank Grandmother Mountain for me for these gifts. I will cherish them and perhaps share them if I am asked to some day. Can I take a photo of you for my scrapbook of my adventures? You really are quite pretty." The Timber Rattlesnake blushed and said "Why certainly my friend." After a few more glances the person said "Well I'm off to the stream to cool off. It is really a hot day." And the Timber Rattlesnake said "I'll go on my way watching over the slopes. I myself love the heat." As they departed and went on their way the Timber Rattlesnake gave one last holler. And all was fine that day on Grandmother Mountain. On that day faith was restored in Humans. Perhaps there is some hope the animals thought.
And that's how I met Timber Rattlesnake guardian of the crystals and mountain. - A.Seriph.S
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