Deep in the heart of the forest there lived Moma, a mouse. Moma was new to this forest, but she made friends very fast. Moma was pretty and kind but very gullible. Her new friends told Moma all she needed to know about life in the forest. They told her where to get the tastiest berries, where to find the best rock furniture, and certain animals to avoid. While talking about the animals to avoid, the name Slither came up. “Slither is very wicked. Not one good scale on his back!” shouted one of Moma’s mice friends. Moma was concerned, but she had more important things to worry about, one of which was her pregnancy. She was going to be a mother very soon. When all her friends left, Moma quickly built a nest at the bottom of a tree. Every day from then on, Moma would sweep through the forest floor searching for leaves and food to bring home for her babies.

One day, while Moma was collecting food, she bumped into a snake. “Oh my, I’m so sorry, please don’t hurt me” said Moma.”Mh, I wouldn’t dare hurt such a pretty mouse like you.” said the snake. “I’d better get going. Sorry once again” said Moma. As Moma tried to escape, the snake grabbed her by the arm and told her to stay a while. Moma remembered her friend’s story about Slither, but she thought this snake was too nice to be him, so she stayed. Slither’s tricks and kind behavior led Moma to believe he was a good friend. Slither noticed Moma’s large belly and asked her if she was alright. Moma said “Yes, I’m dandy fine. I’m just gathering food in advance for my babies” as she rubbed her furry belly. Slither then asked Moma when her babies would be born. Moma hesitantly said “soon”. Slither looked up at the sky, grinned, and offered to take Moma back to her house and stay with her for the night. Moma wasn’t so sure, but the night sky fell and she was scared to go home all alone, besides, she thought of Slither as a new friend.

Moma and Slither went back to her house and began talking. “What’s the most precious item you hold?” asked Slither. “My babies are most precious to me, what’s precious to you?” said Moma. “My younger brother is most important to me” said Slither, “I don’t know what I’d do without him. He’s the only brother I have left.” Slither got Moma to exchange secrets with him. He wanted to build a bond of trust. After having a decent conversation, Moma and Slither grew tired and fell asleep.

When the morning sun rose, Moma was in serious pain. She was about to give birth! Moma’s friends came rushing, grabbing leaves and other cushions for the babies. Slither stepped back and watched as 3 little mice popped out of Moma. Moma was very excited as she held her little mice but was a little offended by her own smell. “Eh, I should wash up. I smell really bad” said Moma. “I’ll watch the babies while you go bathe” said Slither as he felt his stomach grumble. Moma thanked Slither and ran off to clean herself. Slither had a grin on his face as he watched the babies. One by one, Slither slowly picked up Moma’s babies and swallowed them whole. Slither laughed and slipped away before Moma returned. When Moma came back to an empty nest, she was devastated. She cried and wished she had never met Slither. She realized he was the horrible snake her friends warned her about, but there wasn’t anything she could do now. Moma was left with nothing but the empty nest, rock furniture, and tears in her eyes.

A few days later, on the other side of the forest, Slither was happy and enjoying a game of catch with his younger brother. He forgot all about Moma; she was just another victim. During the game of catch, Slither dropped the fur ball and it rolled into a bush. While Slither went to retrieve the fur ball, a huge hawk swooped down and grabbed a hold of his brother. Slither heard his brother scream and instantly looked up. Slither was so shocked and hurt because he could do nothing about it. He watched the hawk as it flew into the blue with his brother trapped in the cage like talons. Slither cried and stumbled on a rock to lean on. As he wept, he asked himself “Why me…Why me?”