SNAKES

 
Some graceful but extremely dangerous snakes lived in the trees near Lonavla. They were known as the flying snakes, were largish and quite long.

These creatures, in one movement that literally flowed through the whole body, threw themselves into the air from one branch and with a strange wavy movement that passed from head to tail would arrive safely and softly on a neighboring tree. One could with amazement stand at a safe distance and for a long time watch this strange graceful performance. Sometimes several snakes at a time gave a performance and the effect was almost hypnotic.

It was, however, unsafe to go too near to these flying beauties.

As a defense against potential danger they used their tails and struck out sharply, usually at the legs of unwary human beings, causing some kind of disintegration of the bones to set in. In those days — fifty years ago when we saw them— there was no cure and the slow disintegration would in time bring the victim to an unpleasant death.

Quite a few different types of snakes had their homes on the small hills surrounding Meherabad, and it was advisable to be most careful when exercising the dogs.

One day Elizabeth was walking with Warrior — her favorite and much-loved dog at that time —when to her horror the dog left her and went over to investigate a huge coiled snake.

Warrior, although a well-trained and obedient dog, refused at her call to leave his investigation of this new and unusual creature and gradually circled nearer and nearer to it. Neither Elizabeth's orders nor her screams affected him. This was definitely something he should know about. She did not understand. Elizabeth finally decided on a counter attraction. She lay down on her back, cycled with her arms and legs, at the same time making strange, calling sounds.

She was successful.

Warrior decided that the strange behavior of his usually conventional mistress was more interesting than the unknown object and ran hurriedly to her side. Before he could escape again she had him on his leash going back to the Meherabad gate and away from this interesting creature.

The worst experience we had with snakes was in the coconut plantation where Baba took us in Ceylon. Enormous cobras lurked in unexpected places.

I remember one day turning a corner and coming face to face with a very large, long snake. With no hesitation I turned and ran as I am sure I never had since my younger and more athletic days.

At the end of the run, near the house, I met Baba who took my adventure seriously and sympathetically.

Although the Ceylonese plantation was a place of great and unusual beauty, I think Baba decided that his disciples would be safer elsewhere, away from these creatures, and after a few days, He said farewell to our host and departed, taking us to a less dangerous life in the hills above the river.