The
incident took place some time back, I don't remember the date correctly now. But
am sure it was Saturday since I had returned from office in daylight! Sorry, I
don't intend to amplify the fact that bank jobs are no longer 10 to 5 rather 9
to 7 now days, for most of us! Anyway I was lucky that there was still some
daylight left otherwise wouldn't have spotted what I did.
 | |
| It Peeped |
Since
the house I rented is quite old and worn-out, there is a crack on the floor of
my verandah which divides it into two unequal parts. I did notice grass and
other vegetation growing out from that crack but nothing alive (I mean in
motion) till then!
But that day I saw something unusual and definitely not grass-like
sticking out from the crack. As soon as I approached, it dunked. I knew I got
lucky that Saturday.
 |
| Time to go hunting |
Took
my camera out and waited keeping a safe distance. It surfaced again and I took
my first short. It was a snake, a hatchling rather. It must have taken refuge
in that crack to protect itself from various predators around, and humans, of
course. It used to come out once in a while and flick its tongue out to get a
sense of the environment. I sat there for almost a couple of hours and watched
the snake learn the most important lesson of its life, 'Survival Skills'! It was
quite dark by then and its instinct must have told it that it was safer and
time to get out examining the surroundings. I saw confidence in the eyes of
that snake, as it ignored me and brought half of its body length out, probably
to hunt for food, shelter etc.! It was time for me too, to leave and take care
of my survival, preparing food and other duties! So I wished it all the luck
and bid Farewell. I never saw it again in, around the crack, I hope it had
moved into a better and safer location.
Later,
by examining the photographs I identified it as a Checkered Keelback (Xenpchrophis
piscator) offspring!
