The Strange White Doves Read Online Free PDF Page B

he was not greatly disturbed. Surely, he thought, the creature would tire of this silly stalking game and go away.
    But the little brown snake didn’t leave. Day after day, week after week, it continued to haunt him. He had destroyed its home and killed its mate, and it sought revenge with the only weapon it had that might succeed against a man.
    Every animal is instantly aware of fear in another, and there can be no question but that the snake knew the exact state of my uncle’s nerves from one morning to the next. By now he was in a very jumpy condition, and getting worse daily. Something had to be done.
    My uncle tried every means he could think of to kill the creature. Each time he failed. King snakes are very quick and intelligent, and this one always outwitted him. The haunting continued.
    Desperate, my uncle finally won the strange duel by leaving a weapon of some kind in every handy place he could think of. One day the little snake got too close, and my uncle was able to snatch up a hidden hoe and put an end to it. But he was never happy about his victory, and even now the memory of it still haunts him.
    My uncle’s second story is entirely different, and because of Zan and the doves it deserves some thought. A neighbor, young Paula, had a pet snake. This pet was a wild snake that lived in the adjoining meadow. It was a secret from her parents, who would have been horrified, had they known of it, and surely would have killed it. But Paula, far from being horrified, must have felt only the greatest admiration and delight when she first saw it, or they could never have become acquainted. Evidently the snake knew instantly how she felt and responded with the same kind of feeling, for they became fast friends. Whenever she slipped into the meadow to play, Paula would call her friend by tapping on a spoon with a pebble. The snake always came to her signal.
    My uncle did not know whether Paula’s friend was a harmless variety of snake or one of the dreaded rattlers. But as long as it was her friend, she was safe even with the most vicious diamondback. They are gentlemen. They strike only for food or in defense, and they will not abuse a trust. To the person with that rare ability to understand them, they are capable of a wealth of feeling and affection.
    Grace Wiley, a herpetologist of California, happened to be such a person. She collected poisonous snakes of all kinds, and in the past many people have watched her—from behind the safety of a glass door—“gentle” some of the most vicious and deadly snakes on earth. She usually accomplished this miracle in a very short time, the only sounds being the incredulous gasps from those privileged to witness the performance.
    She would sit quietly in the corner of a small, bare room which contained only her chair and a sturdy table. From the moment the wild, caged specimen was loosed upon the table, Miss Wiley would begin silently beaming her thoughts upon it—thoughts of deep admiration and affection and respect. Gradually the creature’s fury and distrust would melt away. Now, seeing her as an equal instead of an enemy, an equal offering trust and friendship, it would offer the same by permitting her to pet it with a padded stick. Soon the stick would be laid aside, and Grace Wiley would be at the table, for she had made a friend.
    Other people, including J. Allen Boone, have used Grace Wiley’s approach to “gentle” everything from killer mustangs to killer whales, and to “tame” an amazing variety of untamable creatures—houseflies, ants, fish, snails, and even microbes. In no case, however, is any actual “taming” done. The approach is always made by an equal to an equal, and nothing is forced. Following admiration, there is simply that silent appeal for an exchange of love and understanding and friendship. From nature, you always receive what you give.
    The highest emotion, surely, is love. If no