"Snake Lore" Summary

This article begins with a description of the high regard given to snakes in the Appalachian Mountains. The author mentions several instances of rugged mountain dwellers refusing to enter areas thought to be "snaky." Further, the author recounts tales of snakes rising from the dead to bite dogs, snakes eating entire nests of thresher birds, a snake who stuck feet out when held to a fire, and the snake that milked cows. Further tales include snakes frozen who, on thawing, begin to sing, snakes that swell inside their dens to become barriers, snakes that do not bite during certain days, and a snake that bit a woman in the neck, killing her, only to find her dying grip strong enough to strangle the snake. Marvin Watts tells the interviewers a story of a frail young girl and a snake...