memoir (expanded version)

Memoir 1

Memoir

Pets in general are lovable . Of course , who doesn 't love a dog ? Or a cat ? A fish , maybe ? But in my case , it 's different . Not because I dislike innocent animals but because I have this extreme within me since childhood . You may not believe it but what I do the love are one of the most unloved ' and feared living creatures in this world ---snakes and reptiles

I don 't know what it is about these cold-blooded creatures that attracted me most but for as long

as I can remember , I have always been passionate about them . Lizards arouse my curiosity while snakes give me a sense of mystery and excitement . Even as a grown up now , I can still vividly recall my first encounter with a rattlesnake which was one of the scariest experiences I ever had

It was one bright , sunny morning and we were playing in the woods . The summer heat was conducive for outdoor activities and our gang ' has gathered once again to welcome the long school break . Careless and jolly , I was only 10 then and I was chasing my ball after it was tossed away in a very secluded area . I could not even remember what game was that but I was running after the ball and as soon as I entered the isolated zone , I felt shivers in my nape which gave me the creeps . I had cold sweats just as the earth was cold and moist and there were dried wrinkled leaves scattered all over . I moved quite slowly not knowing what 's in store in there . I looked everywhere for my ball using my telescopic vision . I was quite good in finding things and stuff . As soon as I found the ball behind a moss-filled rock , I heard this eerie hissing sound . Sensing that it might be a snake , I was agitated that I wondered where it could be hiding . I said to myself , This is a chance of a lifetime ' I was thinking twice at first anticipating the danger it could do to me . Anti-venoms were difficult to find during those days Nevertheless , I hesitated

Memoir 2

Out of curiosity , I kicked the rock hard and there it was .a fat healthy rattlesnake ! I suppose it was taking a nap before I got there But at that moment its eyes looked straight at mine , I knew that there was impending harm to come . My mind was flying somewhere . All I felt was fear and thrill . The rattlesnake I found was brown , about four feet long with a triangular head . The minute I saw it , I was shaking hard and I froze all over . Knowing that rattlesnakes only attacked humans when disturbed , I was reluctant to go near it . But thinking it was my only opportunity to explore and take a good look at a real one , I picked up a stick and went closer to it moving one step at a time . As soon as...