AN OLD SNAKE TALE

Tales and legends are told over and over by old timers sitting on benches in front of a country store or on a Saturday afternoon in front of the courthouse. This is one of many tales told by these old historians.

Years ago, before there were any highways or county roads, people crossed rivers and creeks the best way they could. Finding narrow or shallow passes, they would simply drive their teams into the water and hope for the best. It was on one of these crossings that a circus wagon turned over, spilling its contents into the water.

One of the crates that was lost in the water contained a big snake. A search up and down the banks and all around was without success. Because the show must go on, the search was called off and everyone was sworn to secrecy. No one was to tell anyone about the huge snake.

The following spring, when the warm sunny days were more like summertime weather, a farmer, using a single plow and a mule, began turning the rich bottomland for his seasonal cotton planting. His mule suddenly bolted and, with a loud bray, turned and started running toward the barn, dragging the plow behind him. The farmer followed the mule, trying his best to get the mule to halt. The mule paid no attention to his owner and didn't stop till he was safely in the barn.

The farmer stood there scratching his head and wondering what had scared the mule. Looking down the row he had been plowing, he spied the huge snake slithering across the cool ground. At that moment, the farmer decided that the mule had been right and the barn was the safest place. Taking three rows in a stride, the farmer followed the mule's example and headed for the barn.

The farmer told others about his encounter with the huge snake. People heard about it from far and near, but no one would believe the farmer's tale. Never had a snake that big been seen in that part of the country. They just did not exist. The farmer, disappointed that no one would believe him, soon let the story die.

Later that summer, a church group was having a pie supper at the church house. A few of the women and children decided to pick berries along the bayou when they heard a pig squealing. Curiosity got the best of the women and they began to investigate the noise. It is reported that they witnessed a huge snake crushing a half-grown pig to death. Gathering the children they ran for their lives, forgetting about the berries and the pie supper.

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