Chapter Title: Garden Snake
Author: Muriel L. Sonne

Summary:

Introduction:

• The speaker initially expresses fear upon encountering a snake.
• The common belief is that all snakes are dangerous, but the speaker’s mother offers a different perspective.

Understanding the Harmless Snake:

1. Encounter with the Snake:

   • The speaker sees a snake and instinctively runs away, influenced by the general belief that snakes are dangerous creatures.

2. Mother’s Reassurance:

   • The speaker’s mother intervenes, reassuring the child that not all snakes are harmful and that some, like the garden snake, are actually beneficial.
   • The mother emphasizes that this particular snake eats insects, indicating its helpful role in the ecosystem.

3. Changing Perspective:

   • Encouraged by the mother’s words, the speaker decides to change their reaction to encountering the snake in the future.
   • Instead of running away in fear, the speaker resolves to calmly observe the snake and let it pass, recognizing it as harmless.

Conclusion:

• The speaker concludes that encountering a garden snake is nothing to fear, as it is harmless and performs a valuable ecological role by controlling insect populations.

Explanation of the Poem:

• The poem depicts the speaker’s initial fear of encountering a snake, which is a common reaction due to the widespread belief that all snakes are dangerous.
• However, the speaker’s mother corrects this misconception by explaining that some snakes, like the garden snake, are beneficial because they eat insects.
• Encouraged by the mother’s explanation, the speaker decides to change their perspective and not be afraid when encountering a garden snake in the future.
• The poem highlights the importance of understanding and respecting the role of different creatures in nature, even those commonly misunderstood or feared.