And the snake, a-slitherin in the dark, bewept his form.
Why criest thou, o snake?
And from the serpent’s coils came a human voice:
Why knowest not that I was once a man? But I’m forever cursed to crawl upon the earth.
Then wept the snake, unfolding all his woe.
I’ve thought upon that serpent’s taleāa serpent’s mostly tailāand wondered at the deadly kiss and if the witch’s dying words were true. I wonder if I’m freed because he is accursed, or if his narration’s the poison that he rues.
Should it be repeated, or left in darkness?
Tale Told 