（外文电子版资料）Vonda N. McIntyre - Of Mist, And Grass, And Sand.pdfVIP

file:///D|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry/Desktop/New%20Folde...nda%20McIntyre%20-%20Of%20Mist,%20And%20Grass,%20And%20Sand.txt VERSION 1.0 dtd 032800 VONDA N. MCINTYRE Of Mist, and Grass, and Sand Wherever nature is revered as self-moving, and is inherently divine, the serpent is revered as symbolic of its divine life . . . where the serpent is cursed, all nature is devaluated and its power of life regarded as nothing in itself . . . (Creative Mythology by Joseph Campbell). In two stories in this volume the serpent appears, and is not cursed. This one finished first, the other second, in the voting for the Nebula awards. Within us, modern, civilized humankind, there is something that recognizes and responds to the ancient symbols. Something that answers, yes, I am still here. The little boy was frightened. Gently, Snake touched his hot forehead. Behind her, three adults stood close together, watching, suspicious, afraid to show their concern with more than narrow lines around their eyes. They feared Snake as much as they feared their only childs death. In the dimness of the tent, the flickering lamplights gave no reassurance. The child watched with eyes so dark the pupils were not visible, so dull that Snake herself feared for his life. She stroked his hair. It was long and very pale, a striking color against his dark skin, dry and irregular for several inches near the scalp. Had Snake been with these people months ago, she would have known the child was growing ill. Bring my case, please, Snake said. The childs parents started at her soft voice. Perhaps they had expected the screech of a bright jay, or the hissing of a shining serpent. This was the first time Snake had spoken in their presence. She had only watched, when the three of them had come to observe her from a distance and whisper about her occupation and her youth; she had only listened, and then nodded, when finally they came to ask her help. P