Show SNAKE IS BABY'S MASCOT The following story taken from a India paper has the flavor of the Arabian Nights I A A child was born to a Brahman In Inthe Inthe inthe the village of six months ago I and arid since the very date of birth a serpent has been a n constant constant attendant on the babe One day the reptile was caught and thrown in the river At night the Brahman heard the serpent say to him in a dream If you kill killme killme me r I shall completely destroy your family If It you do not I shall not harm you but on the contrary do you good Since this oracle from the serpent the Brahman and tho the members members members mem mem- bers of his family have nave left It alone When the child chUd is on the ground asleep or awake the serpent spreads Its hood over its head like an um um- brella hrella When the child is on the bed the reptile quietly lays Itself down under the cot Once the mother took the child to the tho house ofa ofa of a relation near The father was following following following fol fol- fol- fol lowing her with an umbrella under his arm On op opening the umbrella he I saw that the serpent was inside itHe it He threw It away but it it- forthwith returned to his house The serpent Is still there The Brahman gives the reptile milk mUk twice a day which he drinks |