A Bit of Bravery.

A long time ago, before humans moved in next to the Valley, the animals who lived there developed the ability to talk to each other. Some had a lot to say, some not much, some were very smart and others not so much. But they all had something to contribute. Of course the usual hopes, joys, fears and worries were a part of their lives. So was predation. Some animals like mice rabbits and birds were prey, while some like hawks and snakes were predators. All accepted this as a way of life and did their best to get along.

But every so often, maybe even rarely, very unlikely animals became friends. This is such a tale.

Blue Jay was hopping along one warm spring morning looking for something to eat when she heard a low moaning sound. “Hmmmm” she wondered. What was that? Again she heard it and hopped towards the sound. And then “FEAR FEAR FEAR” !!! She called. There on the ground before her was a rat snake. Blue Jay didn't know any snakes except for “Stripy”, the garden snake in her school, but she knew that rat snakes ate birds. And she was a bird. Quickly she flew back, still calling her Fear call. Then, she heard the snake moan again and whisper “Help me. Please. Somebody. Help me.”

Well, at first Blue Jay thought it was a ploy to get her close so the snake could eat her, but the moan sounded so hurtful she hopped near for another look. “Bird!” cried the snake. “Please help me. I have been caught in a snare set by Humans for rabbits and cannot get out. I have been here for days and I am afraid that the Human will kill me if he finds me. They hate snakes. Why? I have never so much as touched one.”

“But snake, if I come close you will eat me. Why should I help you just to have you kill me?” “I won’t hurt you, I promise. I am so frightened. Please help me. I promise I won’t hurt you.” “And what about other birds? My family? Can you promise not to hurt them?” “No I cannot. My nature is to eat birds and other animals, and so I must. But I can promise you that I will never touch a bird like you, ever again. Only PLEASE!!  Help me. I think I feel feet pounding on the ground.”

Blue Jay decided to try to help, and looked over the snare. She noticed that a stout string held the loop to a branch, and that was keeping the snake caught and hanging mostly in the air. She perched near the knot and using her beak gradually untied it. Finally the string let go and the snake fell to the ground. Then she saw the Human. He had a heavy stick and was raising it over his head to hit the snake, so she yelled “RUN SNAKE!!! I will distract the Human.” She flew into his face and then flew away quickly, giving the snake just enough time to escape into the bushes. Later, she found him coiled near a stream. He was sunning and resting after his ordeal. She flew onto a branch over him and said “Hey Snake! Wake up! Looks like you are OK after all. And I hope you remember your promise to me. And by the way, my name is Blue Jay.”

The snake looked up and said “Oh, Blue Jay. Thank you for saving me. Of course I remember my promise. Come down here so we can talk and be friends.” So Blue Jay flew to the ground where the snake coiled around her gently and said “Blue Jay, you will always have a protected place within my coils. And your family too. My name is Slither, and I will always be your friend.” And although Slither was a snake, and ate many birds during his long life, he never once ate a blue jay. And Blue Jay had a friend and protector for as long as she lived. In fact, she introduced many of her babies to Slither, and they often could be seen perching on his coils as he sunned himself. Strange friends indeed. But sometimes it just happens. Usually takes a bit of bravery, though.

Image: https://terra4incognita.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/mbluejay1.thumbnail.jpg?w=500