A Snake Story (137 words)

One day, a snake came and said “Hello, little boy.”
“I want to be friends with you,” answered the boy.
“Good,” said the snake. “Now let’s play hide and go seek.”
And they did just that.

A story my son repeated at bedtime, the joy of
his youth speaking to my soul. Who am I to question the
innocence of his sharing, hearing him relate a simple
story, growing into independence, and emulating
imagination? Watching too many cartoons I wonder?

The imagery is a challenge to my parenting skills,
remembering chalk marks on our 1950 sidewalk when
I shared time with other grade two children,
jumping squares on one foot, chasing a hunk of glass
way back when innocence was in great supply

not having to worry about today’s snakes who bite
when a back is turned.

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© Richard L. Provencher