On a hot summer night, at about ten, I returned to my room after having my meal at a restaurant. I heard a noise from above but ignored as there were many rats in the room. I changed my clothes and sat on the chair in front of a mirror. At that time I heard a dull thud as of a rubber tube fallen on the floor, but I did not think anything to worry about. Then as I s turned, a fat snake wriggled over the back of my chair and landed on my shoulder. I was so frightened that I turned to be a stone image. ? My mind was alert and active.

If I moved or trembled, I would invite death. It coiled around my left arm, spread out its hood and extended its head, hardly three or four inches from my s face. I was just stunned and out of breath, literally waiting with eyes closed, when it would strike me. I could see in the mirror my pale face and felt and the whole body turning cold.

I was making desperate effort not to tremble or shiver a bit if at all I wanted to save my s life. To my good luck, at last after about five minutes, it unwound itself and slithered down my body on to the floor.