It's story 22, just for you!

Story 22

Phileaus has really enjoyed staying in Egypt  learning about it's rich history and enjoying the culture. Unfortunately, he is leaving Egypt now however, more fun lies ahead as he is travelling to Aden in Yemen. While Phileaus travels to Yemen, here is a story about the origins of Snake Charming.  Whilst in Egypt, Phileaus witnessed men performing Snake Charming on the streets. This charming involves a man playing a flute to hypnotize a snake, causing it to rise up and down as though in a trance. It would appear that this ancient tradition has it's roots in Ancient Egypt, although it can be seen all over the World. 

The origins of the Snake Charmer

The tale goes although it is just a tale, that there was once a young man who lived in the desert in a small community of farmers. This man was poor but humble and treated the community with respect. The community each helped one another to gain food and water, living in peace with their environment. However there was one thing that they could not control, their one threat, the snake. Every day the people worshiped the Snake God, praying to keep snakes them away from the community and the livestock, ensuring that they would not be bitten. As the community was so far from civilization, if someone was bitten by a snake, then they would often have to travel for a long distance to seek medicine.  

One day, after months of peace with the snake, a farmer spotted one whilst herding his goats. A large cobra had risen up and struck a goat without warning and now the village was in great danger. The cobra slithered through the village, taking refuge in a nearby house. The young man who had witnessed the attacked saw the snake making it's way into the village and knew something must be done. This attack was most peculiar as the Snake God had been worshiped by all on a daily basis. 

The snake had taken refuge inside a wicker basket.  In order for the village to be safe, the snake had to be removed from it's hiding place.  Knowing this, the young man started to sing to the Snake God, observing the snake's actions. Nothing happened. The village noticed the young man's efforts and gathered around him. He then started to sing and tap his feet on the floor but still nothing happened. He then saw his flute lying nearby and grabbed it, starting to blow into this instrument.  Upon that, something remarkable happened, the snake started to rise up and down through the wicker basket, as though it was dancing to the sound of the flute. Amazed, the townspeople gathered around in awe, some cheered and others joined in. Playing the flute, the man managed to control the snake to drive it far, far away from the village. 

Many in the village praised the young man's efforts and others joined him in sending the snake away.  From that day forward, the village knew how to control the snake and if any ever came close to the village, the young man would grab his flute and start to play.  And today, even today, if you go to Egypt, you may see a snake charmer, playing his flute as the snake dances in and out of a wicker basket.