The Wise Man and The Snake

This is a story of a wise man that once lived many thousands of years ago. He was one of the original ancients.

He would go off to the top of different mountains and connect to spirits who would tell him what to do and feed him information that would make his tribe thrive more.

They would teach him methods of harnessing the power of water, or growing their own food rather than just picking berries. Different methods of hunting like laying an ambush for large prey.

How they all needed to work together in order to be successful. He was always trying to get to a higher mountain as this strengthened the connection he got to his spirts.

He had a few followers that would help him and assist him when necessary. But often they did not have the strength or resolve to go to the very top of dangerous mountains.

One day, while climbing a particularly steep slope, he slipped and hurt his knee. He sat there rubbing his knee. Forlorn that he may not make it up to the very top today.

He was so keen to serve his people and appease the spirits that he would often put himself in harm's way. But he knew, that everything that happened to him was a lesson.

So as he sat there, he pondered what the lesson was. He relaxed and breathed deeply. Raising his frequency and discovered that despite not being on top the mountain, the spirits could still speak to him.

Today, they told him about building structures to live in, but one of those structures had to be dedicated to them.

In this way, he could go to this special structure and talk to the spirits without having to climb a mountain every day.

They told him what to build the structures of. Mud and clay around sticks woven together. How to pack long grass on the top and not leaves from trees.

When his knee felt better, the wise man climbed back down to his tribe. They had always been wondering nomads and living in caves up to this point.

Today, he told them that they were not going to travel anymore. They were going to build somewhere for them to stay more permanently.

The men in his tribe were always skeptical of the wise man and what he told them. His wild stories of what they should do. But his knowledge was undeniable.

And when they followed his instructions, they could not deny that their lives became better and easier overall. But this was a huge step and a huge leap of faith.

Still, they decided to humour him and built their very first houses. It was very time consuming and hard work but they got there in the end. There was a lot of trial and error involved.

A number of them had to go off hunting so it was left to the women and one or two men to continue building their new homes. They had essentially built their own caves.

They were scared at first because they were convinced the roof would collapse and they would be trapped inside. However, there were bigger things to fear in this time on earth.

They did resist building this separate structure that was to be used for talking to the spirits. It was a lot of time and effort to build something that was not going to be used for sleeping in.

But the wise man was insistent that this was the way it was supposed to be. If they did not follow the instructions he got then they would not keep getting valuable information that would help them develop as a species.

Help them be stronger than their enemies. One day, the old man was sitting inside his new structure that had been built in order for him to connect to his spirits. He was sat their listening for any information coming through to him.

He was one of the original shaman in this ancient world. Suddenly a snake come in to the building. It was a large, dangerous one. Black all over. Sleek and powerful as it glided over the floor towards him.

The wise man was frozen in terror. Many of his fellow tribe had been killed after being bitten by one of these deadly creatures.

However, as they snake headed over to him and raised up half its body so that it could look him in the face. It spoke to him.

"I see you wise man"

The man couldn't speak. He could see its rows of sharp teeth and its two long fangs that he knew where full of poison.

He knew he would die a painful death like others if he got bitten and the snake would be way to first in the small confined space for him to escape.

"Do not fear me today", continued the large snake. "I am here to teach you and here to ask you for your help".

The man nodded silently. Not sure what to be more scared of. The snakes deadly fangs or the fact it was speaking to him.

The snake continued. "My venom has healing powers for your people. If you mix a small amount with water and specific leaves, it will make a thick paste. You can put this on any injury you get which is bleeding a lot. It will help stop the bleeding."

The snake taught him many other tricks and potions that would help him and his people. In this way, the wise man became the first shaman (or doctor in the modern world).

The other people in his village were very scared of his powers but they could not deny that he helped them. They were fearful of his magic but grateful at the same time.

The wise man was grateful for all that the snake had taught him but asked him one day what he wanted in return. The snake replied that his species wanted respect and to be left alone.

They did not want to bite any of his people but it was their only defence. But they did not like doing it and they did not like causing unnecessary pain and death.

He told the man to teach his people that snakes will lie on the game trials, waiting for prey. They would move when they heard a man approaching but not far.

So stick closely to the game trial and both you and I will remain safe. The snake and the wise man had many more conversations and learnt much from each other.

The wise man understood that it was all about listening and being open to receive messages and wisdom from whoever it came from.

Even if it appeared to come from your most feared enemy. This is often not the case. There is often no reason to be enemies.

When you understand each other and your different perspectives of how each of you live your lives then you can often find common ground and be enemies no longer. Respect each other.

Even love each other and you will both live happier lives and be less fearful.