Myth and Legends

The Green Snake

In the beginning of time, snakes were believed not to possess venom as they do now. For which reason, they were not feared nor respected. They were often shoved away and killed. Given their undignified state, they longed to be protected in some way or another to dissuade man and beast alike from murdering them by numbers. Thus, one day the golden cobra or ulupong, the undisputed king of snakes prayed and asked for some form of safeguard from Bathala for their kinds.

At first, Bathala ignored her request. One day, Bathala descended to earth and brought with him venoms to give away to the snakes. The first to obtain the venom was the cobra that explains why it’s venom is the most lethal of all. Each one of the other snakes also obtained her share of venom, though in decreasing potency, except for the green snake or Dadong Palay, who was late in learning about the free distribution of venom.

When he came to the place where venoms have been given out, the only thing left of the venom supply were drops of it’s remaining in the bamboo mug Bathala left hanging around the bark of a certain palm tree. In her earnest desire to possess venom like all other snakes, she took the mug over so that it’s remaining contents dropped out on the bark of the tree. There was just too little left to drink or even lick with her tongue.

Had she arrived earlier, Bathala would have her drank the venom as did with the other snakes. After reflecting sometime on what to do, she decided to circle below around the bark of the tree so she could at least wipe the green-coloured venoms against her scaly skin. It is not surprising that the green snake, as it’s name suggests, appears green all over owing to the green-coloured venom it painted to it’s body. Though found on it’s skin, and not inside it’s mouth near the fangs as all other snakes do.

The venom remains poisonous to those who bite or come in contact with it’s skin. Thus it possesses a serious threat to those of it’s enemies who tried to attack her, and provided the necessary protection for the green snakes in a manner of speaking. To this day, green snakes that came after her are born equipped with the venom on their skin, which along with their pair of sharp fangs elicits natural fear in everyone of us towards them, and commands our respect for their kinds for all times to come.