snake show in rural thailand and a priceless feeling...

A crowd gathers around a couple of snake performers who are playing with snakes, agitating them, and narrowly avoiding getting bitten by quickly moving from one side to the other as the snakes lunge at them. The audience applauds for each narrow escape. In the background there is a man, perhaps the show manager, doing running commentary and using all his oratory skills in booming voice to reinstate this fact that these snakes are poisonous and deadly and that these boys are foolish to risk their lives. Just at that moment a performer releases a snake. The snake slithers and slips towards the spectators in quick moves. Some spectators scream at the approaching snake and run for the cover, others stay put. The performer pulls back the snake. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief and comes back to stand in circle.

After a few such moves, the commentator announces that it was time for a final showdown. One of the performers is given the task of capturing 3 (three!) snakes. You take out your pen and paper and do the math: He is going to catch one snake in one hand, the other in other hand. But how would he catch the third snake? Something doesn't add up. And here in lies the suspense.

The audience holds its breath as the performer and the three snakes weigh each other's moves. Amidst oooohs and aaaahs, and as expected, he grabs two snakes, one in each hand. Now its the turn of the third snake. The third snake is sitting in an attack pose. Commentator ups the ante by reminding the audience how dangerous and poisonous the third snake is. One bite would result in certain death. The audience gasps. Would he hold two snakes in one hand and the third in the other? Would he use his toes? The performer crouches behind the snake. The commentator's voice is shaking with impending doom. The climax is approaching. And then with one lightening swipe, the performer grabs the snake's head in his...TEETH! The audience erupts in roaring approval.

The performer uses this final act as a launch pad for collecting donations from the audience. He walks into the gathered crowd with a pot to collect money. These 2 minutes are crucial to cash in his performance. The iron is hot. Audience has not yet fully recuperated from this daring performance. And so they dig into their pockets and give money to their new hero. Yes we human beings have accomplished more daring feats like climbing up the Everest and landing on moon. But at this very moment, it is this snake performer who epitomizes the conquering soul of human beings against our demons. It is this moment that makes you feel good to be at the top of the animal kingdom.

And 50 bhat ($1.50) tip to that daring performer is a small price to pay for this priceless feeling