It was the first time I ever saw her. She had fiery red hair, incredible blue eyes and an adorable nose. A rounded jaw line and high cheekbones added a slight adult likeness to her soft complexion. Gently, I was lifted out of my box and slowly placed in her small, round hands. I couldn't help myself and began to explore the new surface that had replaced my enclosed living quarters. Curling in and out of her pudgy fingers, I was able to tickle a giggle out of her thin lipped mouth. It was the sweetest sound that I'd ever heard.
"Mommy, let's buy him," the thirteen year old girl exclaimed.
"I don't know, Jamie," said the girl's mother. "I'll have to discuss it with your father."
With that said, I was put back into my box to await the next time that I would perhaps gaze upon that most confusing but beautiful face. Maybe then, I would be taken to a new home.
A week later, she came back for me; her hair more fiery than ever and her blue eyes sparkling with intent beauty. I was really most curious for the name that would become my own.
"Hey there, little guy," chirped Jamie. "How are you doing? Today's the day that I'm going to bring you home with me."
"You know," said the girl's father, "I think that they were meant for each other." He had a kind face and a gentle tone in his voice and I knew that my life was going to be different.
"I have to agree with you there," replied the mother. It looked as if she would burst; her smile was so expressive. I knew that this family was happy and I felt safe.
The ride home was the most fascinating thing I'd ever experienced. We traveled in a moving box on wheels. I couldn't wait to see what other amazing objects lingered around the house.
As we entered through the backdoor, my spirits rose even higher than possible at the sight at my new home. Down the hallway was Jamie's bedroom and what a gorgeous sight to see the neatness of it; I couldn't wait to get settled in.
"Jamie, put that snake in your room then come to the living room and discuss with us what you're going to name it," called out her mother.
"But mom, I already know what his name is. Yogi, let's give you a new home," replied my sister.
Yogi, I thought, I like the name Yogi. Yogi it is.
After about two weeks of sitting in my cage and sometimes playing with Jamie and her sister, I got really bored, so I decided to go on a journey through the deepest African jungles in Jamie's bedroom. As I slithered ever so stealthily out of my cage and onto the floor, not a sound could be heard. It was a completely different place out here in the open air. Puddles of socks soaked the floor, trees of T-shirts lined every crevice and mountains of blue jeans were too frightening to explore. I had only gone under two layers of clothes and I was already terrified. That was when Jamie came in to feed me.
"Yogi, where are you?" she inquired with a little hint of worry in her voice. After that, I knew that I was in trouble. I tried my hardest to slither up to the canopy of the jungle but part of me didn't want to leave my amazing adventure.
"Jamie, you better not have lost that snake and I'd clean up your room before your father sees it!" called Jamie's mother from the kitchen.
"I'm cleaning," said Jamie in an exasperated tone. "Yogi, if you don't show up in five minutes, something bad is going to happen."
Well, I thought, I guess I can always come back to my adventure later…if there is a later. With great strength, I successfully made my way to the tree tops where the sun shone down brightly and Jamie's face scowled at me. In ending my terrifying excursion in the jungles of Jamie's bedroom, she gently lifted me up and placed me in my living quarters. I was genuinely surprised that after the adventure I had just had, it felt as though she still loved me. I, eventually, had learned to admire that in a person.