Are you afraid of snakes? I wouldn’t blame you if you were. Snakebites infect approximately 2.5 million people each year. An estimated 125,000 of these bites kill their victims (Hellor). Snakes can be extremely dangerous and their venom can cause serious injuries, including death. Snakebites can be cured if they are treated rapidly and in the right way. It is evident that snakes cause serious harm and need to be tended to appropriately, as demonstrated in the short story, “No Witchcraft For Sale”.
There are various types of venomous snakes living in Africa whose bites can cause excruciating pain and many other dreadful symptoms. Snakebites are common among cobras, copperheads, coral snakes, cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes, but the black mamba …show more content…
The story is set in Zimbabwe, Africa, where the Farquar’s live with their son, Teddy, their many servants, and their cook, Gideon. Teddy bolted into the house after playing outside on his scooter and held his fists to his eyes and screamed, “Snake!” Mrs. Farquar was just as frightened as Teddy was, but it was obvious that Gideon knew what to do: “Wait a minute, missus, I’ll get some medicine” (Lessing 151). Gideon raced back into the kitchen and began chewing up a leaf he had brought back from a bush. He grabbed Teddy and began spitting into his eyes as he simultaneously pressed his thumbs into his swollen eyes. He released Teddy and assured Mrs. Farquar that Teddy’s eyes would heal. Gideon used a remedy from a plant, unlike the anti-venom that scientists are using today. The symptoms Teddy shows correlate with the symptoms of a snake bite.
The phobia of snakes is a very common fear, and it indeed should be. Snakebites are frightening and can become fatal; therefore there is a good reason to be afraid. Teddy was very lucky that Gideon knew what to do to cure him; otherwise Teddy’s fate could have taken an unexpected twist for the
There are various types of venomous snakes living in Africa whose bites can cause excruciating pain and many other dreadful symptoms. Snakebites are common among cobras, copperheads, coral snakes, cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes, but the black mamba …show more content…
The story is set in Zimbabwe, Africa, where the Farquar’s live with their son, Teddy, their many servants, and their cook, Gideon. Teddy bolted into the house after playing outside on his scooter and held his fists to his eyes and screamed, “Snake!” Mrs. Farquar was just as frightened as Teddy was, but it was obvious that Gideon knew what to do: “Wait a minute, missus, I’ll get some medicine” (Lessing 151). Gideon raced back into the kitchen and began chewing up a leaf he had brought back from a bush. He grabbed Teddy and began spitting into his eyes as he simultaneously pressed his thumbs into his swollen eyes. He released Teddy and assured Mrs. Farquar that Teddy’s eyes would heal. Gideon used a remedy from a plant, unlike the anti-venom that scientists are using today. The symptoms Teddy shows correlate with the symptoms of a snake bite.
The phobia of snakes is a very common fear, and it indeed should be. Snakebites are frightening and can become fatal; therefore there is a good reason to be afraid. Teddy was very lucky that Gideon knew what to do to cure him; otherwise Teddy’s fate could have taken an unexpected twist for the