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Some snake handler As a camp counselor, I scolded my elementary campers on several occasions for sneaking food into the cabin because it attracted varmints like mice, which then attracted snakes. I was not surprised when some boys came running out of our cabin one afternoon yelling, “Blacksnake!” It was stretched out on a log rafter, all six feet of him, resting quietly. I had never handled snakes before, but I had watched others do it. Everyone gathered around as I slowly climbed up in a chair. I grabbed it by the back of the head, making sure to cradle his long body with my arm. It surprised me how strong the snake was; he was definitely not happy. After I showed off my catch, one boy asked, “Now what are you going to do with it?” I hadn’t thought about how to let it go. I quickly had someone bring me a pillow case. But instead of going into the sack he climbed up my arm, over my shoulder, and down my back. The campers scrambled for the top bunks, screaming. Needless to say, I didn’t prove my mastery over wildlife that day. David Wayne Hampton | Morganton |
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