The Viper And The Crocodile

The crocodile advanced on the target. My dinner will not escape this time, he thought. The crocodile slunk back into the murky water and prepared to strike. Chomp. Easy meal, he thought. Likely, the nest of snakes will move to a safer region. He swam back to his territory and climbed out of the water. The Animal Kingdom was dangerous and unpredictable, and predators were not scared to attack smaller prey for food.

“Hello,” a viper said as she slithered out of the tall grass. “Looks like you had a good meal.”

“Hello to you too. You’re in my territory, if you didn’t notice,” the crocodile responded.

“I’m quite aware, yes,” the snake spoke. “I am not looking for any trouble. Just a deal, okay?” She glided back to her makeshift den and pulled out a dead bear.

“Where did you get that?” the crocodile asked. “It’s not every day I see a small viper pull out a dead predator!”

“Yes, yes. You can take… that… for a truce,” the snake said.

“Truce?”

“Indeed. You let me, and my children,” — the snake gestured to her den, where small snakes were staring — “into your territory.”

“And what do I gain?” the crocodile asked, intrigued.

“An ally. And a hunting partner for some time,” the viper said. “If you decline, I have others to negotiate with.”

“You said you saw me have a meal?”

“Yes. Diamondback water snakes are not my problem. They are not my family, and as long as we are safe, I am fine.” The viper slithered back into the tall grass and into her den.

“I’ll take the deal,” the crocodile called. He had not seen any snakes that were this willing to live with a predator.

“Good,” the viper said. “My nest will be here from now on.” The crocodile shrugged and slunk back into the murky water, ready to sleep. Meanwhile, the viper slithered to her nest and sang to her babies.

“We will be safe here, you see. No more predators searching for us,” the viper reassured her babies. “We’ll be just fine.”