The Little Boy and the Rattlesnake

[Robert Spiritwalker Murchison]

The little boy was walking own a path and he came across a rattlesnake. The
rattlesnake was getting old. He asked,"Please little boy, can you take me to
the top of mountain? I hope to see the sunset one more time before I die."
The little boy answered "No Mr. Rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you'll bite me
and I'll die." The rattlesnake said, "No, I promise I won't bite you. Just
take me up to the mountain." The little boy thought about it and finally
picked up the rattlesnake and took it close to his chest and carried it up to
the top of the mountain.
they sat and there watched the sunset together. It was so beautiful. Then
after sunset the rattlesnake turned to the little boy and asked, " Can I go
home now? I am tired and I am to old." The little boy picked up the
rattlesnake and again took it to his chest, and held it tight and safely. He
came all the way down the mountain holding the snake carefully and took it to
his home to give him some food and a place to sleep. The next day the
rattlesnake turned to the little boy and asked,"Please little boy.will you
take me back to my home now? It is time for me to leave this world, and I
would like to be at my home now." The little boy felt he had been safe all the
time and the snake had keep his word, so he would take it home as asked.
He carefully picked up the snake,took it close to his chest,and carried him
back to the woods, to his home to die. Just before he laid the rattlesnake
down, the rattlesnake turned and bit him in the chest.The little boy cried
out and threw the snake upon the ground."Mr. Snake, why did you do that? Now I
will surely die." The rattlesnake looked up at him and grinned,:You knew what
I was when you picked me up."