Snakes!

At Borders, I picked up a book on Indian history (aptly titled “India” by UCLA history professor Stanley Wolpert). On page 4, I read this string of sentences:

“Households blessed with a cobra family in residence rarely complain, since those regal hooded snakes are considered good luck for childbearing women, and rarely attack humans unless startled or threatened. Every Indian child learns early in life never to reach under a tablecloth or into any dark closet, or as a rule anywhere in the house that might have insufficient light to reveal the coiled body of a sleeping cobra.”

Note to self: Don't reach under tablecloths or into closets.

Then, I randomly stumbled upon these pictures:


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/5495695/Indian-children-from-the-age-of-two-learn-how-to-charm-snakes.html

Out of all of God's creatures, snakes freak me out the most. I don't enjoy the feel of snake skin, no matter how many times I hear how smooth it is. I've lived in Hawaii for eight years now, and I haven't seen a snake in a really long time. And I like it that way.

So what do I think about the snakes? I'm sure I'll see one now that I'm completely obsessed with it. But do they really bite? I think what freaks me out is the speed of snakes. They're just so quick. And this one is poisonous. And that hood! Isn't it creepy?

Anyways, if I need some protection, I know what to bring.