The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SNAKE LEGEND

IN ONE VILLAGE IN ITALY, THERE WAS THIS LARGE POOL OF
WATER FROM WHICH THE VILLAGERS USED TO DRAW THEIR
WATER. HOWEVER, A SNAKE BEGAN COMING DOWN FROM THE
MOUNTAINS EVERY DAY BETWEEN 11 AND 12 TO USE THIS
POOL TO DRINK. IN FACT, THE SNAKE USED THIS POOL SO
REGULARILY THAT THERE WAS A BEATEN DOWN PATH FROM THE
MOUNTAIN TO THE POOL MADE BY THE SNAKE. THE SNAKE'S
BODY LOOKED LIKE THAT OF A SMALL CHILD, WHILE ITS HEAD
WAS A STANDARD-LOOKING SNAKE HEAD. THE PEOPLE WERE
IMMENSELY AFRAID OF THIS SNAKE. THERE WAS ONE MAN
WHO SAID HE WOULD KILL THE SNAKE. HE GOT A GUN AND SOME
ROPE, AND CLIMBED UP IN A CHESTNUT TREE NEAR THE SNAKE
PATH. HE TIED HIMSELF AROUND THE TREE AND WAITED.
WHEN THE SNAKE CAME BETWEEN 11 AND 12 O'CLOCK THE MAN SHOT
THE SNAKE, BUT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY KILL IT. INDEED,
THE SNAKE BEGAN JUMPING UP AT THE MAN IN THE TREE.
HE WAS TERRIFIED BUT FINALLY THE SNAKE DIED. THE MAN
WAS SO SCARED THAT HIS HAIR FELL OUT AND HE WAS
BEGINNING TO DIE. HE WENT TO THE PRIEST FOR ABSOLUTION
BUT THE PRIEST REFUSED TO ABSOLVE THE MAN, BUT INSTEAD
ADMONISHED HIM FOR KILLING THE SNAKE BECAUSE HE SAID
THE SNAKE WAS ACTUALLY THE SOUL OF A DEAD PERSON WHO
CAME BACK AS A SNAKE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT ALONE.

Submitter comment: TABU AGAINST KILLING SNAKE WITH THE BODY OF A CHILD. PRIEST REFUSES
ABSOLUTION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO

Date learned: 02-18-1971