Cat vs Snake

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Someone announced, “There’s a snake outside.” We all rushed to the bay window to check this out.

Standing on the sidewalk was a tabby cat pacing near the long black snake. The snake filled the space between the sidewalk and grass, slithering slowly along. The cat approached meowing. (I’m sure she was saying, “Get off my property, you don’t belong here.”) The snake stopped sliding. It lay very still, waiting. The cat continued to advance and retreat. The snake had enough, it curled up. Its head waving back and forth as if to say, “Leave me alone!” It was a stand-off. Who would give way?

I went outside to call the cat. She came quickly with plaintive meows telling me of the intruder in her territory. I petted her until she calmed down and began purring. Her world had been rocked and she didn’t know what to make of it.

I went to check on the snake. It decided that along the sidewalk was not the safest place. It headed straight for a tall tree. Slowly it inched its way up, up, up until it disappeared from sight.

I can’t say who won that battle, but both parties were able to escape with their dignity.

Fascinating to watch this black snake make its way up into the branches of this tree.