Our family is currently in grief because of a relative who died in a snake attack. King Cobra or commonly known as “Banakon” in Mindanao is the deadliest snake in our area. According to stories, this particular snake is grayish. It has feet that allows it to jump. It knocks on your door like a human. It crows like a rooster. It is not afraid of men. It intentionally looks for men for food. It fights.
One Sunday morning, my relative went to their farm together with his son. They were up to cleaning their 1 hectare land. They were about to harvest the palay. On their way to the field, an 11 feet long snake jumped in front of them. They were frightened. He thought of a way so he and his son won’t both be killed. He decided to let his son call for help while he was trying to fight the snake. His fear was nothing compared to his will of killing the snake. He knew he has no chance. This is no ordinary snake. And an 11 feet long is really something. But he did not let this stop him from fighting against it. His son was far, he’s already at ease. Whatever happens to him, he knew that his son was safe. They fought. But due to the snake’s length and ability to kill, our relative was defeated. After a short while, his son arrived along with other people who came to help. When they arrived, our relative was already dead. There were eight of them fighting against one deadly beast. They were successful. The snake was dead but so as our relative. What a hero he was. What a great father he was. I guess all father will really give their life to their son or daughter. Such love that would really conquer all. Even if it means death.
My father remembered our relative saying that once he’d see the said snake, he’ll kill it. Well, what happened was the other way a
round.
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