Jason stopped mid-stride. “Is that a king or a coral snake?”
“Red and black means a friendly Jack.”
“Don’t be an ass, Drake. No snake is friendly. Answer the question.”
“Red and yellow will kill a fellow.”
“Well, that thing has red touching black and red touching yellow. So which is it?”
Drake shrugged. “I’m not sure.”
Jason unscrewed the jar and shook. Gerbil-sized grasshoppers tumbled out. The snake shot off the path, darting its tongue at the insects.
“Memaw’s gonna whip you.”
He scuttled along the dirt path. “I’d rather take my chances with her than the snake.”
***
Photo prompt & featured image: © Shaktiti Sharma
Friday Fictioneers is a weekly challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. The above is my 99-word fictional story. Each week, writers are offered a photo prompt, from which we are challenged to write a complete story, in 100 words or less. Then we post, share, comment and critique with dozens of other writers. Click the blue frog button to find more stories, and join in!
The Mom Who Runs: 
I think I’d avoid the snake, whatever the color! But I love the sense of place and character here. It feels like people and place that I know… lovely dialogue too! Side note: I became a grandmother 18 months ago, and he calls me Mima (Memaw)! 🙂
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Thanks so much for your read and kind words! I’m glad you enjoyed the piece. Congrats on your first grandchild!! My MIL tells me it’s a special and treasured experience! Enjoy!
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That is one smart boy! Lovely writing.
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Thanks!!
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Mothers one can at least try to understand and interact with. Snakes, not so much. So, yes, I’m right with him.
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I agree with the last line 😀
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When doubtful, don’t. Better be safe than sorry.
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I couldn’t agree with them more. Better the snake eat the crickets than bite me!
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Dear Sara,
I’m with him. You don’t want to take chances with a snake. Note: We used to have a gecko to whom we’d feed crickets. I’ll admit I had fun watching him eat them. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We did too! I called it the “gift that kept on giving” as I had to buy those bloody things every two weeks and Leonard (our leopard gecko) would not eat the dead ones… sigh…
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Oh, my!
*adds Gecko to the list of “no” for pets*
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Ha ha ha!!!
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Right! No snake is a good snake when I’m around! 😂
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