The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GLASS SNAKE

I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE TELL AND PROFESS BELIEF IN THE "GLASS SNAKE"
IN BOTH KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. I THINK A CHARACTERISTIC OF
PEOPLE OF BOTH STATES, ESPECIALLY IN THE RURAL AND MOUNTAINOUS
AREAS, IS THAT THEY TAKE DELIGHT IN "PULLING EACH OTHER'S LEGS."
I HAVE RELATIVES AND FRIENDS TELL ME THINGS IN ALL SERIOUSNESS
AS HAPPENING TO THEM OR SOMEONE THAT THEY WILL NAME THAT NEVER
HAPPENED AT ALL. I DOUBT IF ANYONE REALLY BELIEVES THE "GLASS
SNAKE" TALE, YET MANY WILL PROFESS A BELIEF IN IT.
THERE IS A SNAKE THAT WHEN APPROACHED BY AN ENEMY WILL BREAK
ITSELF APART INTO TWO OR THREE PIECES AND SCATTER IN ALL
DIRECTIONS. WHEN THE DANGER IS PASSED, THE SNAKE WILL RE-JOIN
ITSELF AND GO ON ITS WAY.

Where learned: KENTUCKY ; NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED

Date learned: NOT GIVEN