SIMPLE SCENES: Snake story

This is an odd story, and lots of it is true. (I made up a couple of parts because I forgot.)

I was on a long walk when I passed a home with a “For Sale” sign. It was an “open house” day, and the realtor was opening the door.

“Mind if I have a look?” I asked. “My cousin’s being transferred here, and this size house is ideal.” The realtor, introducing himself as Dan, invited me in.

The house was near perfect. Bedrooms the right size, a large den, and a great updated kitchen. “The price is reasonable,” I said. “How long has it been on the market?”

“Eight months,” he said, “because it’s got one small problem. There’s a snake loose inside it. I don’t think it’s dangerous.

“It’s a garter snake, but it’s a big one. About two feet long. The previous owner tells me it eats earthworms and even trout.”

Since I am a sales guy, I started thinking about how I could help Dan. Could I learn more about garter snake society? That’s hard to find, because garter snakes cannot write.

But these reptiles do form social groups. If separated from their “friends” and placed with unfamiliar garter snakes, they will return to their original buddies.

I went to the pet store and bought another garter snake. The next night, I gave it to the realtor.

He put it in a cage in the living room, along with some bites of trout. We would catch the escapee by either food or the potential for a social life.

Sure enough, the next morning Dan found two snakes in the cage. This proved they won’t venture out if tempted by trout.

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Rix Quinn

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Rix Quinn is a former magazine publisher who works as an independent biographer and broadcaster.

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