Ryan and the Serpent
Short Story (Fantasy Adventure)
Excerpt: “With a long sigh, Ryan opened the flimsy door and stepped into his tent-cabin.After finishing his daily paperwork and had a “wind down” cup of tea, he blew out the flame in the kerosene lantern and melted into his cot for a richly deserved night's rest.A short while later, as he listened to the sounds of the jungle, and started to drop off to sleep, the tent-cabin door opened quietly, Ryan squinted and barely made out a pair of hands shaking something large and floppy, like a pillow-case or a rag.There was a dull thud and the door closed.Although it was silent, the hair prickling on the back of his neck told of someone or something else inside the tent with him.“Who's there?” Ryan whispered loudly.An almost imperceptible sound of something being dragged across the plywood floor set a cold sweat across Ryan's body. Cautiously, he grabbed the matchbox off the nightstand, struck a match, lit the lantern and saw his visitor.It was a full grown king cobra, nearly twice as long as his cot.Moving as slow as he could, he rose to a sitting position. The snake was less than four feet away. Well within striking range. Its eyes reflected the fire of the lantern. The creature watched. It studied.Ryan pondered what to do. Any quick motion could trigger action; any slow motion would be suspect. He looked for any possible weapon. The only thing near was his pillow -- not good enough. He remembered what an elderly Indian holy man told him about the cobras.“They are the smartest of serpents,” the old man explained in his high-pitched voice. “Especially the king cobra, for they are the most aware and the most cunning of their kind. A man that kills a cobra must kill the mate, for the other will track him down and avenge the offense. As you stay in our beloved country, know this and be aware. Should you encounter our holiest of serpents, do nothing expected. Show no fear. The expected move or display of fear will be your very certain death. Talk to the snake. Ask why there may be conflict. It will talk to you.” The words faded into memory as the snake came into focus.”
Short Story (Fantasy Adventure)
Excerpt: “With a long sigh, Ryan opened the flimsy door and stepped into his tent-cabin.After finishing his daily paperwork and had a “wind down” cup of tea, he blew out the flame in the kerosene lantern and melted into his cot for a richly deserved night's rest.A short while later, as he listened to the sounds of the jungle, and started to drop off to sleep, the tent-cabin door opened quietly, Ryan squinted and barely made out a pair of hands shaking something large and floppy, like a pillow-case or a rag.There was a dull thud and the door closed.Although it was silent, the hair prickling on the back of his neck told of someone or something else inside the tent with him.“Who's there?” Ryan whispered loudly.An almost imperceptible sound of something being dragged across the plywood floor set a cold sweat across Ryan's body. Cautiously, he grabbed the matchbox off the nightstand, struck a match, lit the lantern and saw his visitor.It was a full grown king cobra, nearly twice as long as his cot.Moving as slow as he could, he rose to a sitting position. The snake was less than four feet away. Well within striking range. Its eyes reflected the fire of the lantern. The creature watched. It studied.Ryan pondered what to do. Any quick motion could trigger action; any slow motion would be suspect. He looked for any possible weapon. The only thing near was his pillow -- not good enough. He remembered what an elderly Indian holy man told him about the cobras.“They are the smartest of serpents,” the old man explained in his high-pitched voice. “Especially the king cobra, for they are the most aware and the most cunning of their kind. A man that kills a cobra must kill the mate, for the other will track him down and avenge the offense. As you stay in our beloved country, know this and be aware. Should you encounter our holiest of serpents, do nothing expected. Show no fear. The expected move or display of fear will be your very certain death. Talk to the snake. Ask why there may be conflict. It will talk to you.” The words faded into memory as the snake came into focus.”
Short Story (Fantasy Adventure)
Excerpt: “With a long sigh, Ryan opened the flimsy door and stepped into his tent-cabin.After finishing his daily paperwork and had a “wind down” cup of tea, he blew out the flame in the kerosene lantern and melted into his cot for a richly deserved night's rest.A short while later, as he listened to the sounds of the jungle, and started to drop off to sleep, the tent-cabin door opened quietly, Ryan squinted and barely made out a pair of hands shaking something large and floppy, like a pillow-case or a rag.There was a dull thud and the door closed.Although it was silent, the hair prickling on the back of his neck told of someone or something else inside the tent with him.“Who's there?” Ryan whispered loudly.An almost imperceptible sound of something being dragged across the plywood floor set a cold sweat across Ryan's body. Cautiously, he grabbed the matchbox off the nightstand, struck a match, lit the lantern and saw his visitor.It was a full grown king cobra, nearly twice as long as his cot.Moving as slow as he could, he rose to a sitting position. The snake was less than four feet away. Well within striking range. Its eyes reflected the fire of the lantern. The creature watched. It studied.Ryan pondered what to do. Any quick motion could trigger action; any slow motion would be suspect. He looked for any possible weapon. The only thing near was his pillow -- not good enough. He remembered what an elderly Indian holy man told him about the cobras.“They are the smartest of serpents,” the old man explained in his high-pitched voice. “Especially the king cobra, for they are the most aware and the most cunning of their kind. A man that kills a cobra must kill the mate, for the other will track him down and avenge the offense. As you stay in our beloved country, know this and be aware. Should you encounter our holiest of serpents, do nothing expected. Show no fear. The expected move or display of fear will be your very certain death. Talk to the snake. Ask why there may be conflict. It will talk to you.” The words faded into memory as the snake came into focus.”