Burt Hunter, a
reporter-photographer in Long Beach, California, found himself on a strange
mission one foggy morning. He was to interview and take pictures of a woman
snake charmer. When Burt rang the doorbell at an impressive mansion, he was
surprised at the beauty of the woman who answered. She didn't look like a snake
charmer. He blurted out, "I don't understand why a wealthy, attractive woman
such as yourself is engaged in this kind of business."
The lady smiled as she replied, "Oh, I don't do it
because I have to. It's a fascinating hobby. I like the element of danger
involved. Someday soon I plan to give it up and spend more time with my flowers.
I can quit this any time I want to."
As Burt set up his equipment , the woman brought in
baskets containing the cobras. She confidently lifted out some of the deadly
snakes as he snapped pictures of her handling them. Then she cautioned, "Be
especially quiet now and don't make any quick moves. I'm going to take out my
newest snake. It isn't completely used to me yet."
Suddenly she stiffened, whispering to the
photographer, "Something's wrong. I'm going to have to put him back." She opened
the basket slowly and began to lower the snake into it. As Burt watched,
fascinated, there was a lightning-jab of the cobra's head as it buried it's
fangs in her wrist.
Forcing the snake down and securing the basked, the
woman clutched her arm. She spoke quietly to Burt, "Go quickly to my medicine
chest and bring the snake serum. Hurry!"
Trembling, Burt returned with the precious vial. She
instructed him to take out the syringe and fit the needle on. Then she told him
how to withdraw the serum. Burt struggled with the unfamiliar task, his hands
shaking. He braced his arm against the table as he tried desperately to get the
needle into the vial. Suddenly he gasped. His clumsy fingers had crushed the
tiny bottle. The serum, now useless, dripped through his fingers.
"Tell me," he urged. "Where can I get another?"
In a quiet voice she responded, "That was my last
one."
Her agony soon ended, but Burt's lived on to embitter
the rest of his life. Often he thought of her statement, "I can quit this
anytime I want to."
Adapted from Marjorie Grant Burns, "Broken!" The
Youth's Instructor, 25 Dec. 1951)
Many today who, following Mother Eve's example, play
with the deadly serpents of sin feel that somehow it won't hurt them. But soon
the vial that contains the only remedy for sin will not be available. We must be
willing to accept the provision that Heaven made so long ago to provide us a
Saviour from sin now, before it is too late.
Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances dictate.
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