This is challenge No 122: click here for details
https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2017/07/03/fffaw-challenge-week-of-july-4-2017-2/
This week’s photo prompt is provided by Kecia Spartin.
I’ve never been afraid of snakes. Guess it comes from having slow worms as a kid, Grandad making an artificial home for them out of an old bird-cage.
Sis and I scared our Mum when she was in the outside loo by putting them under the door.
We’d found it hysterical, the screams amid the rustle of corsets and petticoats.
Looking back, her fear could’ve triggered a heart attack, but then you don’t think of things like that when you’re five, do you.
There’s a picture of me somewhere with a 20 foot python round my neck. About 1986 I think it was. Beautiful creature. Mum was with me the day we’d visited the Aquarium’s reptile house with the foster kids. She was cowering in the corner, but was amazed at my ‘courage’. I was fascinated by its warmth.
It’s a bit of a different story now, having heard warnings of adders where we used to walk Maggie in the woods. The warm weather brings them out to bathe. Take care people.
They’ll see you, but you may not see them. Keep your dog close.
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About pensitivity101
I am a retired number cruncher with a vivid imagination and wacky sense of humour which extends to short stories and poetry. I love to cook and am a bit of a dog whisperer as I get on better with them than people sometimes!
In November 2020, we lost our beloved Maggie who adopted us as a 7 week old pup in March 2005. We decided to have a photo put on canvas as we had for her predecessor Barney. We now have three pictures of our fur babies on the wall as we found a snapshot of Kizzy, my GSD when Hubby and I first met so had hers done too.
On February 24th 2022 we were blessed to find Maya, a 13 week old GSD pup who has made her own place in our hearts. You can follow our training methods, photos and her growth in my blog posts.
From 2014 to 2017 'Home' was a 41 foot narrow boat where we made strong friendships both on and off the water. We were close to nature enjoying swan and duck families for neighbours, and it was a fascinating chapter in our lives.
We now reside in a small bungalow on the Lincolnshire coast where we have forged new friendships and interests.
This week’s photo prompt is provided by Kecia Spartin.
pensitivity101 
I am terrified of snakes! Thankfully there aren’t many where I stay 🙂
Now that we don’t walk in the woods, we don’t see many. Slow worms are still common, and I certainly don’t have a problem with them.
Yikes! Stay out of the woods! Creepy ending. Great story! What are slow worms? Worms that are slow? LOL!
Slow worms are actually a legless lizard as they shed their skin.
I found this site to view:
http://www.arkive.org/slow-worm/anguis-fragilis/
I like this balanced take on this prompt.
Thank you. 🙂
I’m not fond of snakes, especially the venomous ones. Your quote about the loo reminded me of a John Grisham book ‘The Painted House.’ That being said, I enjoyed your take on the prompt. Cheers, Varad
Thanks for your comment. The only venomous snake in the UK is the adder (viper). My Mum doesn’t like snakes, nor did she like the slow worms and sand lizards Sis and I kept as children. I must’ve been a horrible child at times!
Thank you. My Mum doesn’t like snakes, or the slow worms and lizards my sister and I kept. I must’ve been a horrible child!!
“Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?” -Indiana Jones
I’m with Indy. Can’t stand snakes.
Never mind James! It’s spiders that give me the heebie jeebies!
I don’t like spiders crawling over me, but I’m there whenever the missus wants me to kill one.
Hubby has two spider catching kits…………. one a small glass and a coaster, the other a pint mug and a table mat! In case of emergencies, there is a table chair in the wings here!
I just smash them in tissue paper.
I used to vacuum them up!
That’s how my wife gets rid of flies.
Clever wife!
Often children do not see danger. I have alway since childhood enjoyed seeing adders, but these days I have a healthy regard for them.
I was surprised how striking their markings were (excuse pun)
I really enjoyed reading this! You’ve showed an excellent understanding of human nature, particularly with the line, “looking back, her fear could’ve triggered a heart attack, but then you don’t think of things like that when you’re five, do you”. Great take on the prompt, too! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Most welcome. I wonder if My Mum remembers those slow worms now?
She’d probably tell you she used to have nightmares about them haha!
Maybe, but I think she saw the funny side and forgave us all those years ago.
That’s good news! You were very young, so it’s got to be understandable.
Mum’s 95 now, and likely to remember more from the 60s than this past month. We’ll be seeing her on the 15th at a family wedding, so will be taking lots of photos.
Sounds lovely! I hope you all have a great time 🙂
Me too. I’ve had to buy a posh frock!!!!!
Excellent tale Di, so well done. I recently had a brown snake in the backyard and I kept well away.
Those were the days Michael. We tried keeping newts as well, but they all died.
I am petrified of snakes even though there are many snakes in my neighborhood.
http://ideasolsi65.blogspot.in/2017/07/the-modern-eve.html
I could have told this story! Well done!
The Lesson
Annie at ~McGuffy’s Reader~
Good gracious! I am afraid of snakes, but I like your balanced approach.