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Snakes and Mr Baines

“A snake in the grass”. Such a powerful and direct metaphor of treachery, is it not? We strive to avoid such ones believed to be so venomous, like snakes hidden in the grass. The metaphor is not new, but was used in 37 b.c. by the Roman poet Virgil. It was first recorded in English in 1696 as the title for a book by Charles Leslie.*

Among the first stories ever heard by me involved a snake that was up to no good. Perhaps from that point, my opinion of snakes was sealed, and I have avoided them if I could. Growing up in the rural, I saw them occasionally, but was not unduly afraid of them. Because of chemical use on the farm, being bitten by snakes was slime to none. But neither then nor now, can such chemicals allow for avoidance of “snakes in the grass”.

I had lots of friends, lots of freedom, and a good dog name Jack. We hunted for blackberries along the banks of the railroad tracks. We roamed the country sides, and played fearlessly in grassy weeds. We had things to do and places to go, but never time to worry about snakes. There’s a wild kingdom out there, and may all of God’s creatures survive and forever be. But the hissing, crawling, rattling, and the twirling are way out of my comfort zone. Nevertheless, there’s a place for snakes, as long as that place is away from me.

I once saw a snake curled up in a bush where my boss and I was gardening. Nearly touching him, I was startled but he with little concern said to me, “He’s just a chicken snake”. Whether chicken or king, rattles or moccasins; whether harmless or causing death or deadly pain, I prefer to keep my distance all the same. My father had a friend who looked mean and sometimes acted the part, but I liked him and thought he was brave.  He was a snake-slinging man, and I for sure was his biggest fan.

Back then, if my father’s friend Mr. Baines saw a snake, he’d grab it by the tail, sling it around, and pop its head off. But the world has changed; wildlife is well protected, and many things have been banned. How sad, is it not, that there is not a ban on “snakes in the grass”, the humankind? Perhaps the day will come when they can be caught and have, not their heads, but their poisonous venom popped out of them. I wouldn't bet on it but meanwhile, we best keep avoiding such snakes; and I do miss Mr. Baines.

08052015PHPoSoup Note: ( *American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright 2003)

Copyright © Curtis Johnson | Year Posted 2019

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