The Wild Snake (NJ3)


The Wild Snake (NJ3) 

A few days ago, I took a morning trip to Marion Samson Park in Fort Worth, Texas. I walked the trails in the cool morning breeze and pondered about the busy week of school that I was about to have. Just then, I noticed a snake slither quickly in the short grass by my feet. At first, I was startled by the snake. But after careful examination, I realized the snake was harmless. The ophidian was simply looking for a suitable place to bask in the sun. 

I then began to take somewhat of an anthropomorphic approach to understand the snake's current behavior. I applied certain experiences and characteristics from my life to describe how the snake conducted its daily routine. It was almost as if I could hear the snake talking in my hear, providing me with the exact reasons for its actions. The snake told me that by soaking up essential vitamins from the sun, it could regulate its body temperature. As soon as the conversation between the snake and I began to pick up, he informed me that it was time to return to his family, and glided away into the wilderness. 

I wondered what this "family" consisted of that the snake mentioned. If only I could have talked to the snake for a little while longer, I would have been able to ask him the many different questions I have about what life is like in his world. I wish I could compare the similarities between his life and mine, to hopefully gain a better understanding of the natural world. But sadly, the greatest unknown will always be what is incomprehensible to humans. Maybe one day I will have another conversation with a snake, and together we can finally shatter the boundary between humans and animals. 

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