Extended family

Sumanawathie was weaving cadjans to thatch their house by the chena. Her two small children were with her on a rickety tricycle. “Look”, said one little one. “Look. That big rat snake is trying to swallow a rat.

“Please rat snake don't kill that rat,” the little boy said . My Thaththa said killing is bad. Please let her go. Amma said that she has small baby rats on the roof.”

The snake felt sorry. It literally vomited the rat out.
“Thank you Sir, you saved my life and those of my babies.”

The snake felt proud. “You see, we are made to run after you. Our name indicates that. Actually, you should thank those two little humans. Anyway, go look after your babies now he said.” Then he froze. “Goodness, those little ones are heading straight to the water hole with salvinia. It is deep and muddy.” Together the rat-snake and the rat sped to the spot. They saw the gigantic water monitor there.

They told him about the children. “We have to help them.” The water monitor flipped its tail. “Help them? That family? I am ready to even give my life for them,” said the water monitor, raising its head and flicking the long bifurcated tongue out. The rat and the rat-snake told the monitor as to how they came to be together. The giant quadruped reptile smiled “Beautiful family,” he said. “You know, some months back, my snout got stuck in a salmon tin. I could not get it out. The more I tried, the deeper it went into my snout. I was injured. My eyes got swollen. The entire head too. I could not eat. I could hardly see. I was about to die. I dragged myself on to the shore. One day I was basking in the sun, almost at death's door when Simon, the father of the children saw me and called his wife.

“Poor kabararala,” he said. “He is in trouble. Quickly get some old rag or some canvas bags he told his wife. She came with a thick old piece of blanket. She was really scared. “We must get that tin out, now. Don't worry he won't do anything. He knows that we are only trying to help him.”

He held me tightly by my fore limbs and abdomen. I lay stiff. Their mother pulled the tin out. Though she did it gently I was in pain. They were happy when the tin came out.

“He is injured. There are scratches all over the face,” she said. “I will get some medicine,” she ran into the house and brought some stuff. Her husband applied it on my bruised head. She then brought a few pieces of chicken and some fish for me to eat. I looked at them with gratitude and love. What kindness! My friends and I decided never ever to hurt their poultry, cats or dogs, and also to protect them.”

The rat and the snake were so moved by the story they just heard. They too decided not to cause any trouble to the family. The rat said that she would go to other homes for food, but sleep on their roof. The other rats would also be told about it.

“Now said the monitor. “What shall we do?”

The little ones were happily heading towards absolute disaster. “I know,” he said. He soon wobbled up towards the cyclists. They were very close to the salvinia covered water hole. The monitor blocked the path of the cycle. Its front and two rear wheels went over the monitor, the hero . The cycle fell on to a side. The children screamed.

Sumanawathie ran towards them. The gentle water monitor was lying on its back. The two children, the tricycle, the rat and the rat snake were all on him. He was hurt, once again .

Sumanawathie could not believe what she saw. She shouted to her husband who was busy on their plot of land. He came rushing in. The mother lifted the children and the tricycle off the monitors upturned body. She was suddenly very brave. She turned the creature, stroked its head and cried. Her husband came. They carried the saviour of their children home and applied oil.

The father ran to the town and begged the medical practitioner to come. He could not believe when he saw his patient. One limb was fractured.

The good doctor brought the veterinary surgeon. He was stupefied. “I have treated humans bitten by and lashed at by water monitor's “said the doctor. “But this is the first and may be my last time in treating a water monitor” said the veterinarian .

The kabararala soon recovered. The story spread around. The more affluent people in the area became benefactors of the family. Of course their guardians were a water monitor, a rat snake and a rat.

-Siripathy Jayamaha